Large-Scale Manufacturing of OFET Biosensors using Soft Lithographic Printing Methods

ABSTRACT:The Air Force has the goal of monitoring the concentration of stress biomarkers in Airmen over a 72-hour period via OFET biosensors. Nano Terra, Inc. and Prof. Howard Katz at Johns Hopkins University successfully demonstrated the fabrication of two model biosensor systems, Biotin/Steptavidin and Glial Fibillary Acidic Protein/Anti-GFAP in Phase I. Our team demonstrated maximum biosensor current change responses of up to 75%. Our team used the soft lithographic printing methods micro-contact printing to pattern gold gate electrodes on Mylar and micro-contact transfer printing to print polymer dielectrics and P3HT semiconducting polymer. In Phase II, our team will demonstrate a large-scale manufacturing process of OFET biosensors with good reliability and performance. The OFET biosensors will be functionalized to detect stress-indicative biomarkers, including Neuropeptide Y, Orexin A, interleukin 6, and Cortisol, at physiologically-relevant levels.BENEFIT:Large-scale production of biosensors will establish a new market in medical diagnostics and provide new tools for the next generation of advanced consumer products. The industrial development of an OFET technology will help bridge the gap between industry and academic efforts to accelerate organic electronics development.