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About the WiS Lab

The Wireless Sensing (WiS) Lab works on the design and development of mm-scale CMOS-MEMS sensing devices to complement implantable devices for efficient management of chronic diseases. The lab was founded in 2020 by Dr. Virgilio “Vivo” Valente, who is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University* University. The Lab combines research activities in microelectronics, MEMS fabrication and wireless power and data transfer. Our research activities are centered on 3 main areas:

o Ultra-low-power CMOS wireless sensor readout circuits
o Wireless powering and CMOS-MEMS energy harvesters
o Monolithic integration of MEMS sensors, CMOS circuits and microfluidic structures

The Lab has expertise in many domains, including mixed-mode CMOS circuit design, sensor modeling, design and characterization, wireless power and data transfer, CMOS post-processing, MEMS design and fabrication. The Lab’s research activities are currently supported by the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Mitacs. Read more.

*Formerly Ryerson University

We currently have fully-funded opportunities for domestic MASc and PhD students in the field of IC design, BioMEMS and wireless sensing.

Current Projects

o ULP wireless CMOS potentiostat with time-based readout for wearable and implantable biosensors. This project builds on previous activities on the development of low-power wireless potentiostats. In this project we are developing a novel wireless CMOS potentiostat that combines a time-based, current-input SAR readout with a pulse-harmonic modulation wireless transmitter. The potentiostat readout is designed to accommodate input current in a range between 10 pA and 10μA with a maximum energy consumption of less than 100 pJ/bit. Further work focuses on multi-channel and multi-modal operation through the design of reconfigurable time-based front-end readouts.
10.1109/MWSCAS60917.2024.10658765
10.1109/PRIME58259.2023.10161938

o Time-based CMOS impedance analyzer for bioimpedance and electrical impedance spectroscopy application. Synchronous demodulation is the industry standard for real-time impedance measurement. This method provides high resolution but at the cost of high power consumption. In this project we explore alternative methods to measure impedance using time-based readouts. Currently we are developing a model of a single-channel time-based impedance readout and investigating its theoretical performance.
https://doi.org/10.1049/ell2.70181

o Dual-parameter LC sensor and inductive MEMS pressure sensors. In this project we explore novel designs of dual-parameter LC sensors, whereby both the inductor and capacitor can be used as sensors (patent pending). We are also exploring a novel design of an inductive pressure sensor, based on changes in mutual inductance between a flexible and a fixed coil. We are currently working on the monolithic integration of dual-parameter LC sensors in CMOS techhologies MEMS inductors and capacitors on silicon substrates.
10.1109/LSENS.2024.3508272
10.1109/BioCAS58349.2023.10389171

o Silicon microfluidic device with planar patch-clamp (PPC) structures and microelectrode arrays (MEAs) for simultaneous recording on intra- and extra-cellular cell activity. Patch clamps represent the golden standard in single-cell biology, but require expensive equipment and trained personnel. In this project we are fabricating a silicon lab-on-a-chip device that integrates PPCs and MEAs in the same substrate. The chip will be part of an automated single-cell analysis system for cell biology. This project is in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute (ENAS) in Germany.