Transparent SU-8 Three-Axis Micro Strain Gauge Force Sensing Pillar Arrays for Biological Applications

This paper presents three-axis micro strain gauge force-sensitive pillar arrays constructed of multiple layers of SU-8 and metal on quartz substrates to create transparent sensors for use in standard inverted microscopes. The sensor meets specific requirements for measuring tactile sensitivity and forces exerted during locomotion by small organisms such as fruit flies (
Drosophila

melanogaster
), including: 1μN force sensitivity, >25μN range, and bio-compatibility By virtue of its three-axis capability, this sensor has flexible applications for biological and non-biological force sensing.