Asymmetrically aligned focused acoustic waves for enhancing sensing performance of electrochemical microarrays

Abstract

Microelectrode-based electrochemical detection methods have been extensively applied in microfluidic sensors, but there are significant challenges for achieving fast and efficient contact between analytes and the microarray electrodes and, thus, enhancing the sensing performance. In this paper, we develop a technique using asymmetrically aligned focused surface acoustic waves (FSAWs) to enhance sensitivity of microarray electrodes detection. Effects of various focusing angles of the FSAW devices on the values and distributions of acoustic wave amplitudes were analyzed using finite element simulations, and torques, which determine the acoustic streaming velocity, were calculated as a function of values and distributions of amplitude. Based on simulation results, the FSAW device with a focusing angle of 30° was used to investigate sensitivity of microarray electrochemical sensors. The maximum value of instantaneous current was increased up to 11 times, researching a current value of 4.3 μA with the applied FSAWs. This developed electrochemical sensing platform shows great potentials for highly sensitive food quality control and biochemical detections.