Thin films are used in every domain of biosensor systems as for sample
handling, biological recognition and amplification, transduction and
electronic signal processing. Several planar microelectrochemical chip
s with thin-film electrodes of different shapes and arrangements on Si
or glass substrates have been developed and utilized in voltammetric
and potentiometric sensors. Bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) are very ''
adaptive'' thin-film materials applicable in biosensors. Forming of BL
Ms on planar chip with thin-film electrodes has opened up new possibil
ities for the development of miniaturized biosensors as well as for ba
sic research on electrical and mechanical properties of biological mem
branes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.