Low-cost fabrication of microelectrodes using cutting plotter: application to pollen sensor
Abstract
Abstract A cutting plotter, a widely used office device, enables users to prepare plastic sheets in arbitrary shapes that have been designed using a computer. Cutting plotters are applied for fabricating microfluidic systems made of thin plastic sheets. For this study, commercially available aluminum tape with an adhesive layer was tested to create a microchannel with electrodes. After optimizing cutting conditions and evaluating accuracy under an optical microscope, the electrodes were used to assemble a pollen sensor. After the electrodes were placed on a solid substrate, nematic liquid crystal 4-cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) was injected between them. The device detected several pollen particles inserted into 5CB through the impedance measurement.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
Biosensors and Analytical Detection
Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Japanese Journal of Applied Physics
- Volume
- 65
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 04SP10–04SP10
- Publication date
- 10 February 2026
- Language
- EN