This paper describes our investigation of the dynamic, information rich, mOlecular structure of the ultimate smart interface — human skin - by coupling advances in biological, Microsystems, and information technology. The outer layer of human skin, the stratum comeum, is a biologically complex thin film that has unique molecular mechanisms that allow it to function simultaneously as a structural and as a perceptual interface. It is continuously "sampled" by the brain in terms of visual, tactile, and olfactory cues. It interfaces the organism with its environment and has unique micro/nano architecture from an engineering standpoint; e.g., it simultaneously retains and uses water to plasticize the membrane for flexibility. This paper focuses on the development of a sampling interface and MEMS components for a freestanding, multifunctional, multimode, microfluidics-based sensor system for real time physiological monitoring. This research will enable us to gain an insight into the functioning of the human at a fundamental level (from cellular to population) that has not been possible before.

Date Published: 21 March 2001
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 4235, Smart Structures and Devices, (21 March 2001);

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4235:
Smart Structures and Devices
Dinesh K. Sood; Ronald Albert Lawes; Vasundara V. Varadan, Editor(s)