Spatial optimization of an array of aligned microcantilever based sensors

The present work establishes the optimized spatial arrangement for an array of aligned microcantilever sensors placed inside a fluidic cell. The results of the present investigation show that the optimum spacing distance between the microcantilevers decreases as the fluidic cell height decreases. An increase in the flow Reynolds number is found to increase the optimum spacing distance. However, this increase is not noticeable at relatively small Reynolds numbers where the flow exhibits creep characteristics. Hydromagnetic effects are found to decrease the optimum spacing distance. The results of the present investigation show that the location of the microcantilevers from the wall of the fluidic cell also plays a significant role on the optimum distance between the microcantilevers. Finally, a correlation for the optimum spacing distance between the microcantilevers is obtained for various pertinent parameters. This correlation can be used to determine the minimum size of biochips that will produce similar flow conditions on each microcantilever, resulting in independent microcantilever detections for different analytes.