Micropore device for identification of 4-bit hydrogel barcode

Abstract

We report the precise decoding of a shape-modulated hydrogel barcode particle using a micropore fluidic device. Using an electrical simulation, we deduced the optimal pore geometry that yields the maximal sensing signal. We fabricated hydrogel particles with different dimensions and prepared the micropore device along with a fluidic cell and a patch clamp. Accordingly, we experimentally determined the most appropriate shape of the hydrogel barcode particle that allows efficient differentiation between a 0 code and a 1 code. Thus, we successfully decoded 4-bit hydrogel barcode particles with high speed and high accuracy.