(Bio-)chemical and physical microsensor arrays using an identical transducer principle

A new concept based on an identical transducer principle and structure for both (bio-)chemical and physical sensors is presented. For all sensors, the field effect is used as transducer principle. In this approach, the same c hemical sensor is employed also as a physical sensor. A novel design of a t emperature sensor on the basis of a differential arrangement of two identic al ISFETs operating in different working points is demonstrated. A multifun ctionality of the sensor system is achieved by means of different sensor ar rangements and/or operation modes. Thus, the number of the obtained (bio-)c hemical and physical quantities, like ion concentration, temperature, flow rate can be higher than the number of the sensors applied. A hybrid sensor module, for the pH, penicillin and temperature determination is realised an d its performance has been investigated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.