White Matter NanoZ User manual

nanoZ™
User Manual
!

Disclaimer
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted without the express
written permission of White Matter LLC.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the
publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for
damages resulting from the use of information contained in this document or from
the use of programs and source code that may accompany it. In no event shall
the publisher and the author be liable for any loss of profit or any other
commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly
by this document.
nanoZ™ is a trademark of White Matter LLC. Other product and company names
mentioned in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
October 2011 revision © 2009-2011White Matter LLC. All rights reserved.

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What’s!in!the!box?......................................................................................................................................................1!
Software!installation.................................................................................................................................................2!
Firmware!updates......................................................................................................................................................2!
Setting!up!the!nanoZ.................................................................................................................................................3!
Probe!adaptors............................................................................................................................................................4!
Calibration!adaptor ...................................................................................................................................................5!
Tips!for!accurate!Z!measurements .....................................................................................................................5!
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Overview........................................................................................................................................................................7!
Channel!mapping........................................................................................................................................................8!
Adaptor!window.........................................................................................................................................................8!
Probe!window..............................................................................................................................................................9!
Report!window.........................................................................................................................................................10!
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Manual!control!mode.............................................................................................................................................12!
Impedance!test!mode ............................................................................................................................................13!
DC!electroplate!mode ............................................................................................................................................14!
Impedance!spectroscopy!mode ........................................................................................................................16!
Activation!mode.......................................................................................................................................................17!
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nanoz!MEX!library ..................................................................................................................................................19!
Sample!scripts...........................................................................................................................................................20!
Function!descriptions............................................................................................................................................21!
getversion....................................................................................................................................................................21!
enumdevs.....................................................................................................................................................................21!
open ...............................................................................................................................................................................21!
close ...............................................................................................................................................................................22!
getdeviceversion.......................................................................................................................................................22!
selectchannel .............................................................................................................................................................23!
setfreq ...........................................................................................................................................................................23!
startimpmetering ....................................................................................................................................................23!
getimpdata .................................................................................................................................................................24!
getwaveformcaps ....................................................................................................................................................25!
getplatingcaps ..........................................................................................................................................................26!
preparewaveform....................................................................................................................................................26!
startplating ................................................................................................................................................................27!
getplatingdata ..........................................................................................................................................................28!
stop.................................................................................................................................................................................28!
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Hardware....................................................................................................................................................................31!
Software ......................................................................................................................................................................31!
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Adaptor!definitions ................................................................................................................................................33!
Electrode!definitions .............................................................................................................................................34!
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1
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The nanoZ was specifically designed for multichannel microelectrode arrays. It
features extremely low test currents for measuring impedance or electrode
impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Several inbuilt electroplating modes are provided
for automated electrode impedance matching, activation, and cleaning.
!
The setup and operation of the nanoZ is described in this user manual, including
detailed information about the Matlab Software Development Kit (SDK) for
developing your own, customized nanoZ applications.
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Each nanoZ comes supplied with:
onanoZ device
o1.8m USB cable
oNZA-DIP16 adaptor
oNZ-CAL test adaptor
o3-pin to alligator clip cable
oInstallation CD
o(4) stick-on feet (optional)
If any item is missing or appears to be damaged or faulty, please contact the
distributor from whom you purchased your nanoZ.
FEATURES
•64 channels
•1k ~ 100MΩworking range
•1Hz ~ 5kHz test frequencies
•1kΩdisplay resolution, 1% accuracy
or better for 5k ~ 15MΩelectrodes at
test frequencies < 2kHz
•low (nanoamp) test currents suitable
for in vitro or in vivo testing
•constant current electroplating with
±12μA range, ±5V compliance
•intuitive graphical user interface
•software development kit for Matlab

nanoZ User Manual
2
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1. Connect your nanoZ to the computer using the USB cable provided. Let
Windows search for the driver on the installation CD (in the Drivers subfolder).
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the USB drivers. Note that Windows 7
may have compatible drivers inbuilt, which are fine to use instead.
2. Run 'setup.exe' from the installation CD. Follow the on-screen instructions to
install the application suite, including the optional Matlab SDK if you want to
develop your own nanoZ applications under Matlab.
3. The software is ready for use. You can run the nanoZ control program from the
Windows Start Menu or Desktop Shortcut.
If you are re-installing or updating the software and either the ʻelectrodes.iniʼor
ʻprefs.iniʼfiles already exist, the installer will ask if you want to overwrite these files. If
you say no, the old files will remain unchanged. If you say yes, the old files will be
renamed with a ʻ.bakʼextension, and the new ʻ.iniʼfiles will take their place. You can
use a text editor to copy any electrode or adaptor maps from the ʻ.bakʼfile to the new
ʻelectrodes.iniʼfile.
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The firmware version currently installed on your nanoZ can be determined by
selecting the Help | About box from the main menu. When new versions of the
firmware are released, follow these instructions to update the firmware:
1. Plug in the nanoZ and run the 'nanoZ' application.
2. Select Device | Update firmware from the main menu.
3. Click File to select the new firmware (e.g. 'nanoZ_firmware_1_15.nzf').
4. Select the nanoZ device you wish to update by serial number. If only one
device is plugged in, only one serial number will appear in the drop-down list.
5. Click Update. While the new firmware is being uploaded the green LED on the
nanoZ will flicker. Do not unplug the nanoZ during the upload. The message
'Firmware updated successfully' indicates when the process is complete. You can
now click Exit and continue using the nanoZ application.
6. If the update is interrupted or cancelled the nanoZ may not function properly.
Repeat these instructions to upload the firmware completely.
It is advisable to update both the firmware and the software suite to the most recent
versions at the same time. Older firmware and device drivers may not work with the
latest software, and vice versa.
The latest software and firmware updates can be obtained from the download
page of your vendorʼswebsite, or from here: http://whitematter.serveftp.net.

3
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The nanoZ requires no additional hardware other than a PC with a USB port.
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A simple way to mount the nanoZ is with a
regular laboratory retort stand and a three-prong
clamp. Position the nanoZ over a beaker of
saline (or plating) solution. With this setup, it is
easier to put the beaker on a height-adjustable
laboratory jack and raise or lower the jack to
immerse the probe in the solution, rather than
adjusting the height of the nanoZ on the stand.
Alternatively, MultiChannel Systems
provides an adaptor (sold
separately) with an integrated
aluminum rod, shown here. A
second option is to remove a screw
on one of the nanoZʼs endcaps and
replace it with a threaded rod
(3.40mm outer thread diameter) that
can then be attached to a
micromanipulator. Both of these
mounting options are suitable for in
vivo applications or regular use.
probe
connector
USB port
future I/O
(some models)
thread
mount
LED
indicators

nanoZ User Manual
4
To use the nanoZ with in vitro
electrode arrays from MultiChannel
Systems, plug the MCS MEA adaptor
into the nanoZ,then turn the nanoZ
face down and plug it into the MEAʼs
68 pin Honda socket, as shown here.
If the probe is connected directly to
the nanoZ (e.g. a NeuroNexus A32 or
A64 packaged probe), use a short
jumper wire to connect one of the ʻGʼ
pins on the probe PCB to the bath electrode. If using a NZA series adaptor, such
as the supplied NZA-DIP16, connect the bath electrode to the adaptor using the
3-pin-alligator cable supplied. A piece of platinum or platinum-iridium alloy wire
immersed in the bath solution makes an ideal reference connection, as does a
silver-silver chlorided wire or other inert metal. With the MCS MEA adaptor
(shown above) the reference connection of the bath is already connected to the
nanoZʼs reference input, so no external reference wire is required. For other 3rd
party adaptors, refer to the documentation provided to determine the appropriate
point of connection to the bath electrode.
Take care not to expose the nanoZ to liquids of any kind. If liquid gets
splashed on the nanoZ, wipe it off with a moist cloth and allow to dry. If
solution gets spilled inside the nanoZ, immediately unplug it and remove
any attached electrodes or electrode adaptors. For water spills, allow the nanoZ
to dry completely before resuming use. For saline or other solutions, remove the
two screws that secure the end-cap closest to the probe connector. Slide out the
printed circuit board, being careful not to damage the probe connector on the
enclosure opening. Flush with distilled water to remove all traces of the spillage,
and allow the circuit board to completely dry before re-assembling the nanoZ.
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Probes or electrode arrays that have Samtec connectors (i.e. model number
MOLC‐110‐01‐S‐Q) can be plugged
directly into the nanoZ, assuming they
conform to the nanoZʼs native pin
mapping (see Appendix C).
The nanoZ comes supplied with a
NZA-DIP16 adaptor for probes that
use a DIP16 connector, and a variety
of other adaptors are available for
commonly used interconnects such as
those from Omnetics, Millmax, and
Hirose. Contact your vendor for more
Omnetics NZ-EIB-36 (Neuralynx)

5
information about the pin mapping of these adaptors.
All NZA series adaptors should be plugged into nanoZ so that the 3-pin header
on the adaptor is closest to the USB port end of the nanoZ. If using the NZA-
DIP16 adaptor mapping defined in ʻelectrodes.iniʼ, be sure to plug the adaptor
into the ʻlowerʼSamtec socket closest to the bottom edge of the nanoZ.
In the current version of the nanoZ, only R1 is connected to the internal circuitry.
R2 and R3 are reserved for future expansion. If you wish to make your own
reference electrode cable, be sure that it connects to R1 (see Appendix C).
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The nanoZ is supplied with a 32 channel calibration adaptor (NZ-CAL) that
comprises a bank of resistors and capacitors of various impedances (Appendix
D). Use this adaptor to check the accuracy of your nanoZ across the specified
working range (Appendix B).
The nanoZ does not require routine calibrations, however future firmware and
software upgrades may necessitate a device re-calibration, for example, to
extend the nanoZʼs functionality or working range. The NZ-CAL adaptor may also
be used to test whether 3rd party electrode adaptors or tether cables introduce
errors in the impedance measurements.
The calibration adaptor should be orientated with the ʻNZ-CALʼ
text closest to the USB port, and the software should be set to No
Adapter / Probe not selected.
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The nanoZ is capable of providing very accurate measurements across a wide
range of test frequencies and impedances (Appendix B). Nonetheless, care
should be taken to protect the test setup from electromagnetic interference (EMI)
such as 50/60Hz power line interference. The nanoZ is susceptible to EMI
plug adaptor into the nanoZ
with this end oriented
towards the USB port
R1

nanoZ User Manual
6
because it uses very small test signals for measuring impedance. To ensure
accurate results, periodically check the signal quality using the Scope display of
the nanoZ application (or the signal buffers if using the Matlab SDK). Moderate
levels of power line noise or band-limited noise outside the impedance test
frequency of interest are not a problem. However, if the test signal is excessively
noisy and the amplifier is saturated (i.e. the cyan trace on the scope is either not
visible or appears ʻclippedʼ), then the measured impedance will not be accurate.
The nanoZ software will report if any part of the test signal is clipped, and
highlight in yellow the affected channels in the Report window.
If necessary, enclose the setup in wire mesh or aluminum foil to shield it from
EMI, and be sure to connect the shield to the reference wire. Move the setup
away from common sources of 50Hz noise, in particular fluorescent table lamps,
electric motors, or other lab equipment. In especially noisy environments it may
also help to run the nanoZ on a battery-powered laptop.
Clipping of the test sinusoid may also occur immediately after switching
channels, or if an impedance measurement is made immediately after applying
an electroplating current, before charge on the electrode site has had sufficient
time to dissipate. In both cases the nanoZ will report an artifactually low post-
plating impedance and a warning message, and attempt to re-test the electrode
several times before proceeding to the next channel. Refer to the subsequent
sections describing the various automated modes of operation for how to avoid
this artifact if and when it arises.
Finally, we recommend that the electrode and reference connections are kept as
short as possible. Long wires may distort results due to their capacitance. Avoid
open ends which act as antennas.
clean test signal test signal clipped warning in DMM display