High sensitive touch sensor with piezoelectric thin film for pipetting works under microscope

Isolation and separation of the target microbial cells is quite important in applied microbiology. We propose a new touch sensor for separation of the target cells on the plate using a micromanipulator with a glass pipette. Principle of this touch sensor is based on detection of mechanical impedance change after contact of the vibrating pipette tip with the plate. We fixed the sensor on the pipette holder and arranged the design of the sensing electrode to improve sensitivity of this sensor through FEM analysis. The prototype sensor has high sensitivity and high rigidity and is excellent in durability. This sensor is sensitive enough to protect the fragile pipette tip from collision. Thus, task of the micromanipulator to separate microbial cells under the microscope was improved.