Nanoporous dialysis membrane for microfluidic neural probes

Yan, Yifei

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/108624 Copy

Description

Title

Nanoporous dialysis membrane for microfluidic neural probes

Author(s)

Yan, Yifei

Issue Date

2020-07-20

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Vlasov, Yurii

Department of Study

Electrical & Computer Eng

Discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Nanoporous membrane
• Dialysis
• Graphene
• Silicon

Abstract

Understanding the functionality of neural circuits is important for not only research but also the development of novel treatment of neurological disorders. As the communication between cells in the brain is mainly via neurochemicals, the detection of neurochemicals is vital to understand brain functionality. Neural probes, as a microscale implant for brains, can be used to detect the neurochemicals. Among various kinds of neural probes, dialysis neural probes have high spatial resolution, but they are limited by low temporal resolution. In order to improve temporal resolution, the dialysis process needs to be faster where molecules transport through the dialysis membrane on the neural probe. The thesis focuses on the fabrication, transfer, and characterization of two potential candidates, nanoporous graphene membrane and nanoporous silicon membrane, for the dialysis membrane in a neural probe. For both membranes, after the process of fabrication and transfer, the intactness is inspected. Nanoporous graphene membranes have a non-uniform nanoporous pattern and many defects. Nanoporous silicon membranes have a uniform pattern, and the membranes after transfer can be suspended over a hole with size of 37×37 μm^2. For nanoporous silicon membranes, the mechanical strength and adhesion to the substrate are tested with penetration into agar, which has strength similar to that of mouse brain. After four penetrations, the intactness of nanoporous silicon membranes is barely degraded, and the membranes are at the same positions as before the test. Nanoporous silicon membranes are used as the dialysis membranes for methyl orange in aqueous solution. The diffusion coefficient of methyl orange is 1.45×10^(-8) cm^2/s. The fabrication and characterization of nanoporous membranes in the thesis will help lead to the integration of the dialysis membranes onto neural probes, which will aid in understanding the functionality of neural circuits.

Graduation Semester

2020-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/108624

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2020 Yifei Yan

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