1. Singapore, December. 3, 2013 - A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME) will be presenting three papers at the prestigious 2013 International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) to showcase its recent breakthroughs in biosensor technology, microelectronic-based cell enumeration platform and a three-dimensional (3D) microelectromechanical (MEMS) enabled laser source. The IME researchers are also co-authors of another paper titled “Analytical model of endurance degradation and its practical applications for operation scheme optimization in metal oxide based RRAM”, which will be presented by Peking University. IME’s strong presence in one of the world’s premier conferences anchors its position as the leading semiconductor R&D center in Asia.
2. The IEEE IEDM is an annual electronics conference for reporting advances in the areas of semiconductor and electronic device technology, design, manufacturing, physics, and modeling. The conference features leading experts in their respective fields of influence from around the globe. This year’s conference will take place in Washington, D.C., USA, from 9 – 11 December 2013.
3. Summaries of the technical presentations by A*STAR’s IME are as follows. A Novel Optical Multiplexed, Label-Free Bio-Photonic Sensor Realized on CMOS-Compatible Optoelectronic Integrated (OEIC) Platform by Junfeng Song et al.
Conventional label-free optical sensing systems are bulky and require expensive high resolution laser sources to achieve the high sensitivity necessary for diagnostic applications, adding to the rising cost of healthcare.
IME is reporting a novel biophotonics sensor based on an innovative microring resonator design. The sensor offers superior sensitivity capability at significantly lower cost than conventional label-free optical sensing systems. The superior sensitivity, speed and multiplexing capability, together with the cost advantage and miniaturization potential position the sensor favorably as a portable point-of-care (POC) diagnostic solution for timely intervention and better treatment outcome. This work is a fundamental building block for a smart Si biochip for next generation sensing system network that is cost-effective and compact.
CMOS Based High Density Micro Array Platform for Electrochemical Detection and Enumeration of Cells by Chee Chung Wong et al.
The identification of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is commonly carried out by fluorescence staining methodology, which is time-consuming, laborious and costly.
IME is presenting a microelectrode-array based on CMOS electrical-impedance-spectroscopy platform that integrates direct electrical detection with cell enumeration. This platform allows automated high speed counting of a large number of cell population with single cell resolution, making it possible to eliminate the skill-intensive and laborious protocols involved in the manual cell differentiation, cell labeling and staining steps. Results demonstrated from this work present tremendous opportunity for the platform to be used as a high throughput and cost-effective approach to identify tumor cells, relevant to clinical cancer management.
Demonstration of a Single-Chip Integrated MEMS Tunable Laser with 48-nm Wavelength Range by Cai Hong et al.
Commercial tunable lasers require multiple components in their set-up in order to achieve the necessary wide tuning range, thereby contributing to the bulkiness of these systems and rendering them challenging for integration.
IME is reporting the first demonstration of an on-chip integrated tunable laser with 3D micro-coupling system. The miniature integrated system is the smallest reported tunable laser fabricated by MEMS technology that can generate light over a range of wavelengths. The design uses simple packaging and provides ease of fabrication for mass production. The flexible wavelength range offered by the laser allows service providers to cost-effectively expand system capacity in advanced wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks to support high data packets at ultra fast speed. This miniature on-chip system can also be readily integrated into high-density photonic circuits to achieve smaller form-factor. These distinct functionalities and highlights make the laser an attractive light source for next generation optical telecommunications, as well as in other spectroscopy applications.
Media Contact:
Dr. Shin-Miin SONG
Institute of Microelectronics A*STAR
DID: (65) 6770-5317
Email: songsm@ime.a-star.edu.sg
About Institute of Microelectronics (IME)
The Institute of Microelectronics (IME) is a research institute of the Science and Engineering Research Council of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Positioned to bridge the R&D between academia and industry, IME's mission is to add value to Singapore's semiconductor industry by developing strategic competencies, innovative technologies and intellectual property; enabling enterprises to be technologically competitive; and cultivating a technology talent pool to inject new knowledge to the industry. Its key research areas are in integrated circuits design, advanced packaging, bioelectronics and medical devices, MEMS, nanoelectronics, and photonics. For more information about IME, please visit http://www.ime.a-star.edu.sg.
About Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.
In line with its mission-oriented mandate, A*STAR spearheads research and development in fields that are essential to growing Singapore’s manufacturing sector and catalysing new growth industries. A*STAR supports these economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry.
A*STAR oversees 20 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their vicinity. These two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international research scientists and engineers from A*STAR’s research entities as well as a growing number of corporate laboratories.
Please visit www.a-star.edu.sg
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