Development of a solder bump technique for contacting a three-dimensional multi electrode array

 The application of a solder bump technique for contacting a three-dimensional multi electrode array is presented. Solder bumping (or C4: Controlled Collapse Chip Connections, also called Flip Chip contacting) is the most suitable contacting technique available for small dimensions and large numbers of connections. Techniques adapted from the literature could successfully be scaled down to be used for 55x55 μm pads at 120 μm heart-to-heart spacing, yielding well-conducting, reasonably strong bonds. Received: 30 October 1995/Accepted: 16 September 1996     

Neuro-electronic interfacing with multielectrode arrays

This article reports on the selectivity experimentally obtained with a hand-made 24-fold 2D array with electrodes spaced at 120 μm in the rat peroneal nerve and extensor digitorum longum muscle. We call the device 2D, as all the electrode tips lie in the same plane. The device itself is a 3D multiple needle array. The design and construction of a 128-fold 3D array in silicon- and glass technology is briefly described, as well as the fabrication of a 2D 128-fold array in silicon- and LIGA technology. Special attention is given to efficiency; i.e., the ratio of the number of successful electrodes contacting a single motor fiber to the total number of electrodes in the device. We also discuss whether microfabrication technology will allow a further increase in the number of electrode sites, or if an alternative way of interfacing, namely employing cell cultures on electrode substrates, will lead to higher efficiencies     

The Effect of Social Comparison Information on the Life Satisfaction of Frail Older Persons.

In this study, the authors examined the effects of social comparison on the life satisfaction of 455 community-dwelling older persons. These older persons were confronted with a fictitious interview with either an upward or a downward target. After downward comparison, older persons felt more satisfied with their lives than after upward comparison, especially those who had higher levels of frailty. These effects were only found with lower levels of identification. Apparently, downward comparison only serves its self-enhancing function on life satisfaction among frail older persons when they perceive the comparison target as different from themselves. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)