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Fabric-based PCR Microfluidic Chamber for DNA
Amplification and Electrochemical Detection
Dyana Yurico
Biomedical Engineering Student
Swiss German University
dyanayurico982@gmail.com
Maria Prevyolita Indra Muliawan
Biomedical Engineering Student
Swiss German University
mariaprevyolita@gmail.com
Samuel Andrew Setiawan, S.T., B.Eng
Biomedical Engineering
Swiss German University
samdrewset@gmail.com
​
Abstract— Since the beginning of the pandemic caused by
SARS-CoV-2 virus, the demand for diagnostic kits as well as
devices used to treat the patient has increased drastically. One of
the diagnostic tools that are desperately needed in these times is
thermal cycler, a tool needed to perform polymerase chain
reaction (PCR). (Real time) PCR method is the standard of the
diagnosis to check the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus. In other
words, RT-PCR is the most effective way of diagnosis during this
pandemic. However, the access to this method is limited, and only
several laboratories or hospitals can perform this method; yet the
virus is spread all around the world. That is why, this paper will
discuss the development of a fabric-based PCR microfluidic
chamber for DNA amplification and electrochemical detection
Index Terms— ​ PCR, fabric-based, microfluidic, DNA
amplification, electrochemical detection
I. I​NTRODUCTION
I​n the end of year 2019 -- on 30th December 2019 to be exact --
China reported its first case of infectious disease in Wuhan, which is
now known as the coronavirus disease (2019) or COVID-19. In
Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, three bronchoalveolar lavage samples
were collected from a patient who had pneumonia with unknown
etiology (or cause). Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was
performed on these three samples, and the assays showed positive
results for pan-Betacoronavirus. Then, the whole genome sequences
of the virus were acquired using Illumina and nanopore sequencing.
Bioinformatic analyses were then performed, and the results showed
that the virus had similar features with the coronavirus family and
that the virus belonged to the Betacoronavirus 2B lineage. [2]
It was then revealed using the alignment of the full-length genome
sequence of the COVID-19 virus and other available genomes of
Betacoronavirus that the closest relationship between the virus was
Elnora Listianto
Biomedical Engineering Student
Swiss German University
elnoralistianto@gmail.com
Michael Jeremy
Biomedical Engineering Student
Swiss German University
michaeljeremy248@gmail.com
Devita Via Senzas
Biomedical Engineering
Swiss German University
devita.senzas@sgu.ac.id
with the bat SARS-like coronavirus strain BatCov RaTG13. The
infectious disease is known to be caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease quickly spread
in other countries, causing a pandemic. [1]
The most common symptoms of the disease are fever, dry cough, and
tiredness. There are less common symptoms, such as aches and pains,
sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva
of the eye), headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or
discolouration of fingers or toes. Serious symptoms, which are a sign
that the patient needs immediate help, include difficulty in breathing
or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, and loss of speech and
inability to move. [3]
The Chinese CDC (Center for Disease Control) reported that the case
fatality ratio varies, depending on age, and whether a person has
hereditary diseases or not. It is reported that the case fatality ratio
increases with age. The case fatality ratio for people who are aged
between 11 to 19 years old is 0.2%, while for people who are aged
above 80 years, it is 14.8%. The case fatality ratio increases when a
person has hereditary disease as well. This hereditary disease can
cause the presence of comorbid conditions. For people who have
cardiovascular disease, the case fatality ratio reaches 10.5%. While
for people who have diabetes, the case fatality ratio is 7.3%, for
people who have hypertension, it is 6.0%. For people who have
chronic respiratory disease, the case fatality ratio is 6.3%, and for
people who have cancer, the case fatality ratio is 5.6%. The table for
the variation of case fatality ratio can be seen in Table 1. [2] [4]
TABLE 1. Variation of Case Fatality Ratio Between Patients
Factor Type Case Fatality Ratio
Age 11-19 years old 0.2%
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tube can bind onto the target sequence on the single stranded DNA.
>80 years old 14.8% The primers are binded through complementary base pairings [12].
Because of the bond, polymerisation begins. However in order for the
Hereditary disease Cardiovascular 10.5% primer to successfully (and specifically) bind to the target DNA
disease sequence, the temperature must be precisely fit. It has to be low
enough so that hybridization of the primer to the strand is allowed,
Diabetes 7.3% but it also needs to be high enough so that the hybridization is
specific.
Hypertension 6.0%
If the temperature is too low, the primer might not bind perfectly. But
Chronic respiratory 6.3% if the temperature is too high, the primer might not bind at all.
disease Usually, the temperature during annealing is set to 3-5 °C below the
melting temperature of the primers. Next, after annealing is the last
Cancer 5.6% step, which is extension.

The final extension step requires free nucleotides and the temperature
Because of the high risk of fatality, people began to do more research
is raised again that allows the TAQ (Thermus aquaticus) Polymerase
on COVID-19 disease, from how to detect the disease in effective
to extend the primers, synthesizing new strands of DNA. The
and efficient ways, how to prevent the spread of the virus, and to its
temperature required for TAQ Polymerase to work properly is
treatment. We believe that detection of the disease plays an important
between 75-80 °C , however 72 °C is usually used. The result of the
role in restraining the spread of the virus. Despite having to rely on
extension step is two double-stranded sequences of target DNA, each
people’s honesty to tell the doctors when they are feeling ill, it is also
containing one newly made strand and one original strand.
an important thing to verify the disease, in order to convince patients
[7][8][9][10] The steps of polymerase chain reaction can be seen in
to be treated with specific treatment, and also to reduce panic that is
Figure 1.
spread around the country.
PCR reactions are commonly used for a wide variety of applications
The main way of detecting the presence of coronavirus
in the medical field, that includes genotyping, forensic science, and
(SARS-CoV-2) is by using the real time polymerase chain reaction
primarily in disease diagnostics. PCR is a valuable method in
method. There was a study that compared the usage of ELISA
diagnosing infections and infectious disease, where it can amplify a
(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) method and quantitative real
given DNA to determine whether a patient is positively or negatively
time polymerase chain reaction method in detecting the SARS-CoV
infected without the need to take large amounts of blood samples
virus, the cause of epidemic of SARS (severe acute respiratory
from the patient.
syndrome) back in 2003. The result showed that quantitative real
time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was the method of
choice, as it could detect the SARS-CoV earlier in fecal specimens.
The sensitivity of qRT-PCR is higher than ELISA. [5] Moreover,
qRT-PCR is able to detect viral infection in early stages. [16][17] We
believe that real time polymerase chain reaction is still the method of
choice now, as the cause of the disease comes from the same family.
[6]

Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR for short is a very renowned

technique in which it rapidly replicates minimal amounts of specific
DNA fragments from samples into large enough amounts that can be
analyzed and studied for scientific purposes [11]. Polymerase can be
defined as the enzyme that makes polymers of any other molecule,
which in this case are the DNA. The reactions in PCR methods
proceed at an exponential rate which is why it is called a chain
reaction. PCR methods are very dependent towards temperature,
where it uses either cooling or heating at a discrete temperature
during its process of replicating specific strands of DNA [12]. Within
the small tubes inside the thermal cyclers, there consists of TAQ
Polymerase, primers, DNA Template, and the nucleotides.

The process of PCR involves 3 primary steps which is denaturation,

annealing, and extension. Denaturation is done by raising the
temperature and separating the two strands of DNA. Raising the
temperature causes the hydrogen bonds between the complementary
Fig. 1. Illustration of steps of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
DNA to break.

The temperature required for denaturation is usually between 95-98
℃, and the time needed is between 20-30 seconds. The next step after
denaturation is annealing. To allow annealing, the temperature is
lowered to 50–65 °C for 20–40 seconds. Annealing is done by
lowering the temperature in order so that the primers within the PCR
As technology develops, portable devices have gained interest. This
includes devices for polymerase chain reaction. The device that can
perform polymerase chain reaction is called a thermal cycler.
Currently, the type of thermal cycler that is widely used in the
hospitals is the common one. The current widely used thermal cycler

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typically has a dimension of around 27.5 × 43 × 33 cm , total weight
of around 11.5 kg, using AC power supply, temperature range
between room temperature (37℃) up to 110℃, sample using either
96 well plate/384 well plate/0.1 ml tube/0.2 ml tube, with either silver
or aluminium thermoblock. [13] This type of thermal cycler is not
portable, as it has a relatively large dimension, is pretty heavy to be
carried around, and needs to be connected to an AC power source.
Recently, a smaller thermal cycler device has been developed. The
device is said to be portable, because of the small dimension of only
5.08 × 12.7 × 10.16 cm, and weight of around 0.45 kg. This device
uses 0.2 ml PCR tube for the sample container, and it has a capacity
of 8 0.2 ml PCR tubes. It can be connected with a computer or laptop
using the USB cord, or to Android phones and tablets using micro
USB OTG adapters. Because it can be connected to laptops, it can be
programmed using the application made specifically for the device.
However, even though the device is said to be portable, it still needs
to be connected to an AC source. [14] Meanwhile, not every place
where someone needs to conduct a polymerase chain reaction has an
AC source. To solve this problem, a low cost portable thermal cycler
with smaller dimension and lighter weight can be developed.
II. C​URRENT​ C​ONDITION​ ​AND​ P​ROPOSED​ S​OLUTION
As mentioned before, the recommended method of detecting
COVID-19 is using quantitative real time Polymerase chain reaction.
However, conducting qRT-PCR method for diagnostics often
depends on access to centralized laboratory facilities. That is why,
people began to do more research on compact PCR-based methods
and devices for point of care (POC) settings. The examples of mini
PCR are given in the previous part.[18][19][20]
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, there are three approved ways of detecting
the presence of SARS-Cov-2 to detect the COVID-19 disease: (1)
Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), or more
commonly known as swab test, (2) Rapid Molecular Assay, and (3)
Rapid Diagnostic Test, or more commonly known as rapid test. The
real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), as explained
previously, is the most effective approved way of detecting
SARS-CoV-2. Rapid Molecular Assays/rapid molecular testing is
known to be the alternative of real time polymerase chain reaction.
The rapid molecular assay uses the Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic test. It
was previously used mainly for patients with tuberculosis. With this
method, the diagnosis can be done faster, which is around 45
minutes. [21][22][23][24][25] The Rapid Diagnostic Test is the
simplest way of detecting SARS-CoV-2. Rapid diagnostic test is not
only used for COVID-19, but also for other diseases. Even though it
is really quick (typically only 20 minutes) and assumed to be
inaccurate, the false positive rate of rapid diagnostic tests is less than
10%, and the invalid tests are less than 5%. Rapid diagnostic tests
play the role as the first test that is taken by people who are suspected
to have COVID-19. It checks the presence of the antibody (mainly
Immunoglobulin G and M/ IgG and IgM). [26]
In this study, temperature plays a major role towards the succession
of the PCR reaction. Energy is defined as mass multiplied with
specific heat capacity multiplied with the difference of temperature
(1). Energy can also be defined as power multiplied with time (2).
Mass can be expressed as density multiplied with the volume (3).
Substituting and rearranging (1), (2), and (3), we can obtain (4),
where temperature difference is defined as power multiplied with
3
time divided by density multiplied by volume and specific heat
capacity.
Q = m.C.∆T (1)
Q = P. t (2)
m = ρ.V (3)
Looking at (4), assuming that the current remains the same, then if
the volume that is used is large, then the change of temperature
difference will decrease. But if the volume that is used is small, then
the change of temperature difference will increase. In other words, if
we use a small amount of volume, then we won’t need a large current
to increase or decrease the temperature.
∆T = P .t
(1)
ρ.V .C
In this paper, we propose the development of a fabric-based PCR
microfluidic chamber for DNA amplification and electrochemical
detection. Our fabric-based PCR microfluidic chamber for DNA
amplification and electrochemical detection will hopefully help
provide an alternative of thermal cycler for Polymerase Chain
Reaction (PCR).
There are two main parts of our fabric-based PCR microfluidic
chamber for DNA amplification and electrochemical detection, which
are: (1) the heater and temperature sensor, and (2) electrochemical
detection.
A. Heater and Temperature Sensor
In our fabric-based PCR microfluidic chamber DNA amplification
and electrochemical detection, we use nichrome wire as the heater
and Carbon Nanotube as the temperature sensor. However,
experiments were also conducted to assess whether carbon nanotube
can be used as a heater.
Theoretically, carbon nanotubes (CNT) can be used as heaters and
sensors because of their unique electrical, structural, mechanical
properties, and thermal conductivities. [27] We can control the
resistivity of CNT by changing the numbers of layers or by changing
the reagents used in the densification process. The thermal
conductivity of CNT is known to be 3500 W m−1 K −1 [28] and as a
heater, it can reach temperatures up to 750 ℃ [29].
As for the sensor, there are many ways of assembling technique,
sensing material, substrate which produce different ranges of
temperature and sensitivity. We decided to use printing and dip
coating as the assembly technique, using multi walled carbon
nanotubes (MWCNTs), with PVDF mono- filament fiber as the
substrate. [30] The proposed design of our CNT based temperature
sensor and heater can be seen in Figure 2. The CNT thread is put
based on Figure 2 to maximize the performance of the CNT on the
microliter chamber as the heater.
The design for the heater and the sensor can be seen in Figure 2. It
is designed to be multiple meanders to maximize the performance of
both the nichrome wire as the heating element and the CNT-thread as
the temperature sensor. The design of the CNT-thread as a heater also
takes the meander shape.
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Fig. 2. Design of CNT based temperature sensor (left) and nichrome wire
heater (right)
Fig. 3. Concept Design for the Fabric-Based Microfluidic Electrochemical
B. Microliter Chamber Design and Layers DNA Detection

The use of pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acids (acpcPNA) can be used It can be seen from Fig. 3. That the hydrophobic area encapsulates
as a probe for the detection of complementary DNA targets. This is the hydrophilic area for the chambers. The electrodes for detection
because acpcPNA shows that it has low chances of self-hybridization will be developed further in the future so in this case, the focus of this
and it has great selectivity, binding affinity for complementary short research is on the chamber itself. The bottom part of the chamber will
DNA or RNA molecules [31][32]. The main method of detection is be made hydrophobic with another layer full of epoxy resin wax to
by the use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In prevent any leaks downwards. Both these layers will be stacked together
general, to obtain a diagnosis of the target DNA sequence, probes can and clipped.
be electrostatically immobilized [32] or covalently immobilized [31]
on the surface of the electrode, and these probes will exert an The layers of the device would entail Figure 4 below. The first two
electrochemical response due to the hybridization of the target DNA. layers on the top are shown in Figure 3, the rest of the layers below
Hybridization of DNA can be monitored indirectly with EIS because are the heating elements as well as the temperature sensor placed
labels or indicators, such as methylene blue [33] or anthraquinone underneath the denaturation region or chamber.
[32], are not required. Based on the work of P. Teengam, et al. in
2018, the electrochemical device was created to be paper-based. This
was due to the need to covalently immobilize the probe with
generated aldehyde groups from the cellulose-based paper. Cellulose
is usually modified chemically with various functional groups and is
suitable with biological samples [34]. Fabric electrochemical devices
(FED) has also been proven to be easily accessible, cheap, light,
biocompatible, flexible, and measurement can be done with only a
small volume of sample [35]. Besides the utilization of acpcPNA,
DNA sequence that complements the target DNA can also be used if
immobilized to the surface of the electrode for detection.

Various designs of the FED chamber for the sample solution have
been implemented, from two layers being folded [31] to layers being
stacked to form a 3D electrode [9]. For the simplicity of the design, a
folding technique will be implemented. As seen from Fig. 3, there are Fig. 4. Concept Design for the Whole Cloth-based PCR Device
4 areas. The sample area is indicated by the number 1, the
denaturation area indicated by the number 2, the chamber for the
insertion of PBS solution after PCR is finished indicated by the
‘PBS’ label and lastly the electrode area for EIS detection. The
sample will be dropped onto the denaturation chamber (2) and the
sample chamber (1) will be folded onto 2. To prevent evaporation
and to reduce costs, the folding will decrease the likelihood of
evaporation. Clipping can be done for 1 and 2 to achieve this. After
the PCR cycle has been completed, PBS solution will be dropped
onto the PBS chamber and overflowed to reach 2 or the PCR
solution. 1 can be opened again and the electrode can then be folded
onto the denaturation area for measurement.
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Fig. 5. Top View of PCR Chamber and DNA Detection Design in Silhouette
Studio

Fig. 7. Hydrophobic Layer Construction with Epoxy Resin (a) Resin solution
and hardener were measured 1 gram each and mixed in the same container for
2-3 minutes with remains on the side scraped. (b) Mixed solution was rested
for 30 minutes at room temperature and the thickening of the solution was
constantly monitored for if some mixing is required to be done. Once the
solution is thick enough, it can be scooped. (c) Solution was distributed to the
fabric with the help of the stencil, thinly and not with too much power, and let
dried.
Fig. 6. Bottom View of PCR Chamber and DNA Detection Design in
Silhouette Studio

III. M​ATERIAL​ ​AND​ M​ETHODOLOGY

The tools and equipment that are needed includes a Silhouette Cameo
3 digital cutter, Dynamic 330 laminating device, oven, and two axis
linear stages and self-adhesive vinyl paper. The Silhouette Cameo 3
digital cutter is interfaced with the Silhouette Studio Software. The
materials that are needed are White mori cotton fabric, epoxy resin,
A4 papers. For the CNT-Coated thread, we use the one available
(already fabricated) in our lab.
A. Fabrication of the Fabric-based Microliter Chamber
The hydrophobic layer in this project was made using epoxy resin.
The materials needed for this include a disposable plastic cup and Fig. 8. Final Design of the Chamber Layer
scoop for single use, resin solution and resin hardener, a timer, and a The fabric will be coated with the hydrophobic epoxy resin from the
weight scale. Resin solution and resin hardener were made into a front and back, and the hydrophilic part will be as explained and
solution with 1:1 ratio of not more than 2 grams. This is enough to designed previously. The fabric can still be folded for the design. One
fill 5 stencils. A new mixture needs a new scoop and container layer coated wholly with epoxy resin for a full hydrophobic layer was
otherwise the solution will harden quickly. The more surface area the also created wherein the chamber layer of Figure 7 will be stacked
solution has the faster they will harden. The resin solution is spread above it. Both layers can be clipped and folded for the future
onto the fabric thinly without pressing too hard based on the template execution of the experiment.
of the stencil. Then the fabric is rested for 4 hours to let it dry
completely causing a proper absorption of the resin solution with the Epoxy resin has different kinds of glass temperature based on its
fabric. type, some has lower than 100​°C glass temperatures, some has
higher​. Thus, to test if the fabric will be able to withstand the PCR
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cycles and high temperatures, the fabric coated epoxy resin has also
been tested inside an oven at a temperature of around 95​°C for 2
minutes, the denaturation temperature. It was proven that the fabric
layers could withstand the high temperatures of PCR.
B. Electric Circuit to Control Temperature
After the fabrication of the microliter chamber, the next step is to
design the circuit schematics. The circuit consists of a relay that
drives the nichrome wire heater, powered by the battery. The
nichrome wire heater will be clipped using an alligator clip.

The (+) side of the battery is first connected to the relay. From the
relay, one end of the nichrome wire heater which is then put on the
fabric based on Figure 2. The other end of the nichrome wire heater is
then connected to the ground. The relay is then also connected to the
Arduino Mini microcontroller. Afterwards, the connections are then
all covered by electrical tape to avoid any interference or disruptions.
To set up the cooling system, the heater source input will be cut off.
One leg of CNT coated thread is connected directly to the analog
input in the Arduino Mini board. The resistor that is used has the
value of 10k Ohm. The circuit design can be seen in Figure 9 below.

Fig. 9. Circuit design for fabric-based PCR microfluidic chamber for DNA
amplification and electrochemical detection

The program code for the Arduino Mini will be as shown below
which was adapted from [42-50].
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program. Thus, the Steinhart and Hart equation, shown in (1), is used
since it is the mathematical expression best suited to picture the
resistance and temperature relationship [54].

1
T= A + Bln(R) + C[ln(R)]3
(1)

An additional resistor is also added to form a voltage divider so that

the temperature at the sensor can be measured. The Steinhart model
coefficients A, B, and C can be manually, or with the help of an NTC
calculator, can be calculated with the Steinhart and Hart equations
(1), (2) and (3) below.

1
T1 = A + Bln( R1 ) + C[ln( R1 )]​3 (2)

1
T2 = A + Bln( R2 ) + C[ln( R2 )]​3 (3)

1
T3 = A + Bln( R3 ) + C[ln( R3 )]​3 (4)

The values of the resistances at three given temperatures were

obtained from the experiment. The range was taken with an interval
of 20​°C, ​more than the minimum of 10​°C, and at the PCR
temperature range from 60°C-100°C. These three chosen datas shown
in Table 1 below were calculated by the Steinhart and Hart equation
for the Arduino Mini Program.

TABLE 2. Three sets of data of the CNT sensor’s resistances at a

given temperature taken for calculation
Data Temperature (​°C) Resistance of
CNT
Temperature
Sensor ( Ω )

1 60 15270

2 80 14560

3 100 14280

Fig. 11. Calculation of the Steinhart coefficients by matrix and PowerPoint

Excel

The online calculators used to verify and compare were from

Stanford Research Inc. and Rusefi.com, which provide NTC
coefficient calculators. Both yielded the same constants for A, B, and
C.

It was obtained that the constant A (c1 in the program) is

-3936.696123e-3, the constant B (c2 in the program) is
6131.540302e-4, the constant C (c3 in the program) is
-22002.84881e-7.
Fig. 10. Arduino Mini Program. Adapted from [43]

The Arduino Mini program needs a conversion of the analog input of C. Verification for PCR Test
the voltage from the sensor to be converted to temperature in the The proposed materials needed for verification of PCR include a

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learning kit from miniPCR called the miniPCR​TM Crime Lab: Missy
Baker Gone Missing. This learning kit has all the reagents needed for
the verification of PCR from the PCR Master Mix including the
dNTPs, PCR buffer with Mg​2+​, gel loading dye, and the Taq DNA
polymerase, as well as the primers needed, a 100 bp DNA Ladder and
the template DNAs as samples. Results or expectations of the PCR
have also been provided in the guide to ensure that comparisons can
be done quickly with the real life trial to see if PCR has been verified
or not. A free demonstration of electrophoresis will also be provided
by miniPCR. If the device has proven to be functional, this
demonstration for verification is ready.
The method in which the final DNA sample, after going through
PCR, can be transferred from the fabric to the electrophoresis gel
would be with the use of dilution. The chamber will be washed off by
either PBS buffer or PCR buffer. The washed off solution with the
DNA sample will be the one placed at the wells of the gel for the
verification with electrophoresis. The total dilution volume should be
that required for the electrophoresis.
D. Carbon Nanotube as Heater
As stated previously, carbon nanotubes can be used as heaters and
sensors because of their unique electrical, structural, mechanical
properties, and thermal conductivities. To test carbon nanotubes as
heaters, we conducted a simple experiment by applying a DC bias
voltage onto the Carbon Nanotube thread. Whilst the DC voltage is
applied, the temperature is then monitored, and the relationship is
observed. The materials needed to make the meander design in
Figure.2 is 4 (9cm) CNT-coated thread with resistance of under 50
kΩ, pin-header, Printed Circuit Board, soldering iron, lead strips, and
copper wires.
To make the multiple meanders designed in Figure.2, first, each end
of the CNT-coated thread is tied together to form 1 long thread. Then
2 8-pin headers were used to align the CNT thread. It is placed
parallelly from each other at 2cm apart. One end of the thread is tied
onto one corner of the pinheads.
The thread is then looped to the pin head across the tied pin.
Afterwards the thread is looped again across to the neighbouring pin
of the first pin. This process is repeated until it loops around all of the
8 pin heads in both pin headers, and a knot is tied at the last pin head.
The loops must also be tightened. A copper wire is then connected
onto the back side of the PCB to create a series connection between
each neighbouring pin. The resistance is then measured. In this
experiment, we got the paralleled CNT-coated thread to be 445 Ω
8
Fig. 11. CNT thread, alligator clip, pin header and PCB placement in the CNT
as heater experiment
To set up the experiment, 2 multimeters, 9V batteries (4), jumper
cables, crocodile clips, parallel CNT-coated thread connection,
Arduino UNO, MLX90614 IR Temperature sensor. The circuit for
the experiment can be seen in Figure. below. The IR sensor is placed
above the Paralleled CNT-coated to measure the temperature of the
CNT coated thread.
Fig. 12. CNT as heater circuit
The arduino serial monitor is then set up to read the ambient and
object temperature. Then connect the 9V battery to the circuit
connection. Another battery is added every minute passes. The
temperature is observed using the Adafruit MLX90614 for 1 minute
every 1 second.
Based on the observation, it can be seen that the temperature keeps
increasing as time progresses. Because as temperature increases,
resistance decreases, current flow increases, and thus temperature
keeps increasing. Further characterization is required to investigate
the characteristic of CNT as the heating material. During this
experiment, a 12V 3A power supply was also used. Using the power
supply shows excellent results in terms of providing stable voltage
input. However, it hit a saturated point and the demanded temperature
was not reached. Therefore, batteries were used instead.
The battery was able to provide a current of 150 mA to the circuit.
However the highest temperature recorded was 73.79 degrees celsius,
with voltage of 34.2V and a current of 101.6 mA. Afterwards, the
thread shows signs of burning and smoke. Therefore, it is deemed
that the CNT-coated thread available in the lab is unfit as a heating
element for denaturing the DNA sample, as it may contaminate the
sample. Because the Carbon Nanotube was deemed unfit to perform
as a heater, therefore we alternate using nichrome wire to be the
heater for this project.
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faster than the temperature change seen in the thermometer. Another

possible source of error in this experiment was the hot plate itself.

The results of this experiment were then put as an Excel data and the
graph of resistance versus temperature was produced from the data.
This experiment showed that the CNT thread has characteristics of a
NTC thermistor, where the resistance decreases as temperature
increases. This can be seen in Figure 15 below.

Fig. 13. CNT as heater experiment setup

E. Carbon Nanotube as Temperature Sensor

Other than to be used as a heater, the carbon nanotube is going to be
used as a temperature sensor as well. As heat increases or decreases,
the resistance of the carbon nanotube will change. By measuring how
much resistance has changed, the carbon nanotube can be used as a
temperature sensor. A simple experiment was also conducted to
measure how much resistance changed by applying heat onto the
CNT thread. The materials needed for this experiment were: (1) hot
plate, (2) thermometer, (3) CNT-coated thread with length of 9 cm,
(4) crocodile clips, (5) multimeter and (6) copper plate. Fig. 15. Graph of Resistance (k Ohm) vs Temperature (℃) of CNT Coated
Thread
The edges of CNT-coated thread were connected with alligator clips.
Then, the thread was laid flat on the surface of the hot plate. To
F. Casing
isolate thermal heat from the hotplate, another thermal conductive
material such as the copper plate was put on top of the CNT-coated The design of the casing that will contain all components can be seen
thread, making the CNT thread sandwiched (see Figure …) The CNT in figures below.
thread was left to rest for 30 minutes in order to record the initial
temperature and room temperature. After that, the temperature was
recorded every 30 seconds 5 times (at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 seconds).
The resistance was also recorded during each cycle. The hot plate’s
temperature was increased gradually after 2 minutes of recording.
The temperature recorded had a range from 27℃ up to 100℃.

Fig. 14. CNT thread, alligator clip, thermometer, and copper plate placement
in the CNT as temperature sensor experiment

It is important to know that the thermometer used was a conventional

mercury thermometer. The tip of the thermometer was isolated to
measure the temperature of the hot plate surface. Because of this,
there could be errors due to environmental factors such as heat loss.
Fig. 16. Casing design top view with sizes in mm
Another thing is that temperature on CNT thread changes more
quickly than temperature in the thermometer due to surface area
placement. Because of this, the resistance of CNT thread changes

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Fig. 17. Casing design side view with sizes in mm
Fig. 18. 3D casing design top (left) and side (right) view
Fig. 19. Casing design with details
According to Figure 19 above, the disposable components are:
chamber layer, hydrophobic layer, and CNT thermistor. While the
10
indisposable components are: nichrome wire heater, circuit and
electronics (which include Arduino mini board, relay, cables).
G. Assembly
Using the acrylic casing fabricated, nichrome wire as the heater,
carbon nanotube thread as the temperature sensor, and the
fabric-based chamber fabricated, the project is then assembled. The
circuit is built based on Figure 9 explained previously. The
assembled project can be seen in Figure 20 below. The temperature
of the heating element is monitored using an infrared camera, and the
temperature sensed from the CNT-thread temperature sensor is also
monitored using the serial monitor from Arduino IDE.
Fig. 20. Assembled project
Using the nichrome wire, the temperature generated from the
nichrome wire increased rapidly from 30˚C up to 95˚C. The relay
then cuts off the current flowing into the nichrome wire when the
temperature reaches the denaturing temperature. After the relay cuts
off the current, the temperature is seen to be decreasing at a rapid
pace. Thus, there is no need for any cooler. However, problems arise
when one of the jumper cables started to melt. This in turn, disrupted
the circuitry. As a result, the relay did not work when the temperature
reached the annealing temperature which is 65˚C.
In another experiment, 30 minutes was required for the heater to
reach 95˚C and it was proven that the Arduino IDE code can maintain
that temperature for 1 minute. Although maintaining temperature is
possible by the Arduino IDE code, the readings of the CNT as
temperature sensor by the Steinhart Equation did not result in
temperature values of degree Celsius as expected. This might be due
to the lack of calibration, as well as the ever-changing resistances of
the CNT that does not have a constant baseline resistance. The
readings taken for the Steinhart Equation and calculation might not
be suitable to be used in these experiments. Nevertheless, when
compared to that of the reading of the thermistor, as temperature
increases, the values obtained from the CNT as seen from the Serial
Monitor have also been proven to increase.
IV. E​XPECTED​ R​ESULT
The expected result of the completed assembly of the fabric-based
PCR Microfluidic Chamber can be seen in Figure 21 below. The
chosen DNA, after PCR, is expected to be successfully observed with
electrophoresis. The sample should be at the designated base pair
location as seen in the miniPCR guide.
However, due to unsuitable components and complications in
designing the circuitry of the heater and temperature sensor, the
functionality of the device has not been perfectly proven as explained
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beforehand, which hinders the verification of PCR. The verification
of this device to do PCR with DNA samples cannot be done yet.
As a heating element, the CNT in the lab is found to be unsuitable
due to combustion at around 75˚C. Further research and
characterization is also needed. However, the potential for CNT to
perform as a heating element is present. Therefore, the alternate
nichrome wire was used in this experiment. There are still problems
due to melting jumper cables that disrupted the circuitry. Therefore,
improvements for the circuit needs to be made.

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