Y-cut quartz resonator based calorimetric sensor

Monitoring of chemical and biochemical reactions such as neutralization reactions, antibody-antigen binding events, and enzyme catalyzed reactions, etc. can be achieved using calorimetric (bio)chemical sensors. A calorimeter array consisting of a thin film thermopile as temperature sensor integrated with microfluidic channels has already been demonstrated recently. In order to improve the sensitivity of the device, a temperature sensing element based on Y-cut quartz is proposed. The temperature-frequency calibration of a 125 mum thick Y-cut quartz resonator has been experimentally measured in the 22-60degC temperature range. Preliminary measurements of the neutralization reaction have been performed using the resonator to demonstrate the potential of the device for calorimetric sensing applications. It can be concluded that upon optimization of the device for thermal performance and appropriate compensation of mass loading and viscoelastic effects using a differential arrangement, ultrasensitive calorimetric measurements can be performed using such a device