THERMOELECTRIC SENSOR

摘要

A thermoelectric sensor for monitoring biological samples is provided, the sensor comprising a substrate (26) having a plurality of thermocouple sensing junctions (18) arranged circularly about a central region, a number of reference junctions (30) arranged about the sensing junctions (18), and a low thermal mass air cavity (32) provided adjacent the sensing junctions. A heating element (16) may also be provided. The sensor of the invention may be used to monitor temperature changes from individual cells or groups of cells, or from biologically active compounds or samples, as a result of biological activity. The sensor may thus be used for screening of candidate drugs and the like.