Micro deformation measurement using flexible and ultra-thin glass sheet cantilever

Abstract

Micromechanical characterization evaluation of single cells, such as elastic, young’s modulus and stiffness is of fundamental importance to the study of cell growth, differentiation, migration and morphogenesis. However, traditional methods (such as atomic force microscope or optical stretching methods) are time-consuming, complicated or low sensitivity. Device with the fast response and high sensitivity still remains challenging. Glass-based devices made of ultra-thin glass sheets are transparent and physically and chemically stable, which allows high resolution and real-time observation of cell deformability. Here a micro-indentation method using an ultra-thin glass sheet (UTGS) cantilever platform integrated with the metallic foil pattern as the strain gauge sensor provides a way to measure the micro deformation under 30 μm which could be used to measure the stiffness of single cells in the future.