Fundamentals and current status of polymeric piezoresistive cantilever technology applied on biosensors

Abstract

Microcantilevers and nanocantilevers have been used in many applications ranging from engineering to biomedical devices owing to their small size and high sensitivity. Different materials are being explored, evaluated, and optimized to manufacture such cantilevers for applications as biosensors. Polymeric materials are among the most promising because they offer high detection, mechanical flexibility, and low-cost processing. This chapter provides an overview of microcantilever and nanocantilever technology based on polymeric materials, with an emphasis on those used in piezoresistive biosensors. Current polymeric materials for cantilever-based biosensors are presented. In addition, the design and fabrication of polymeric cantilevers are addressed and discussed.