Thermoelectrical Analysis of Cell Lines with a Pyroelectric Sensor

Cells are the basic units of life of animals and plants that undergo various biological/physiological processes. Most of the properties of living organisms are also exposed by individual cells. Understanding the functioning of cells is crucial to obtaining information about their function and state of health. This paper presents the design and manufacture of a pyroelectric sensor for cell line characterization. Using thermoelectric transduction in response to an external temperature stimulus, thermal impedance measurements of a sample of cells containing liquids were carried out. The outcomes of the analysis are illustrated on a Nyquist plot and are assessed at a specific frequency. The envisioned sensor is designed to enhance the information gathered from a low-volume cell sample. The thermal analysis allows to evaluate parameters such as thermal resistance and heat capacity of the cellular population. Analysis of sample at different concentration evidenced that low increase in cell volume fraction results in significant variation in the Nyquist plot and thus in the thermal components of the sample.