VIdeo RAte Imaging MEMS probes for BiOlogical NanoSystems – VIBRATIONS

Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is now a common tool for material analysis in both academic and industrial areas because it enables non-destructive high resolution images at the nanoscale. However, the available sensors face strong limitations in liquids, making the use of AFM on living material like proteins or cells still a challenge. Thanks to our recent breakthroughs in MEMS sensors technology, we propose to extend the AFM potential to in vitro imaging of biological objects. Targeting beyond the academic applications, our goal is to establish a marketable force imaging technique for creating and addressing new instrumentation markets from biology and life sciences to medical analysis. The project will focus on microsystems integration for increasing performances and demonstrating user-friendly bio-imaging. The objectives of the present proposal are: (i) verifying the innovation potential of capitalized technology by pushing higher performances MicroSystems-Probes to a demonstration stage, (ii) assessing reliability versus technological choices, (iii) generating an extended portfolio from the pre-existing IP. Expected outcomes lie in the consolidation of information making possible to take strategic decisions and launch a start-up company.