The joint research team of Professor Dong-myeong Kim, Dae-hwan Kim, and Seong-jin Choi in Semiconductor Devices & Integrated Circuits Lab (SiLK) in Kookmin University successfully developed the new conceptual semiconductor biosensor chip in use of silicon nanowires on the 6th.

There have been studies on biosensors using semiconductors; however, the research outcome obtained this time by the SiLK Team of Kookmin University improved sensor’s sensitivity, removed noise, and secured output stability. From that perspective, it accelerated the commercialization of semiconductor biosensor by overcoming its technical dilemma.

There was difficulty in the existing semiconductor biosensors in terms of stably detecting a small amount of biomolecules or disease marker. Also, it required complicated and expensive micro semiconductor processing technology that was difficult to be commercialized. Thus, the research team of SiLK integrated the circuit used for computer chips as the semiconductor biosensor while intactly using the semiconductor chip production technology to detect fine amount of biomolecule in high resolution compared to existing biosensors.

This technology is expected to create a new growth power by being integrated with the advanced semiconductor production technology in Korea and the research team revealed that it is a technology that could be commercialized within several years. Currently, about 10 related technologies are patented or applied for patent. Being selected as the highlight thesis in the International Electron Device Meeting (IEDM) that is the most authoritative and largest academic association on semiconductors, the research outcome will be announced in IEDM held in Washington D.C. between the 9th and 11th.