Small footprint heater

1. A heater, comprising:

a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip;

the semiconductor chip being responsive to a load current such that the semiconductor chip is configured to generate heat upon application of the load current;

a microcontroller electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip; and

a sensor positioned at or near the heating source;

wherein the microcontroller is configured to control delivery of the load current to the semiconductor chip to generate heat from the heating source;

wherein the sensor is coupled to the microcontroller to provide feedback for controlling the heat generated by the heating source.

2. A heater as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

a sample chamber positioned adjacent the heating source;

the sample chamber configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature.

3. A heater as recited in claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to vary the supplied load current to vary the gate voltage of the heating source;

said gate voltage affecting the heat generated by the heating source.

4. A heater as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a battery for supplying power to the microcontroller and heating source.

5. A heater as recited in claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to supply current to the heating source according to a predetermined heating profile.

6. A heater as recited in claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor chip comprises a MOSFET.

7. A device for heating a biological sample, comprising:

a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip;

the semiconductor chip being responsive to a load current such that the semiconductor chip is configured to generate heat upon application of the load current;

a sample chamber positioned adjacent the heating source;

the sample chamber configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature;

a microcontroller electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip; and

a sensor positioned at or near the sample chamber;

wherein the microcontroller is configured to control delivery of the load current to the heating source to generate heat from the heating source;

wherein the sensor is coupled to the microcontroller to provide feedback for controlling the heat generated by the heating source.

8. A heating device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to vary the supplied load current to vary the gate voltage of the heating source;

said gate voltage affecting the heat generated by the heating source.

9. A heating device as recited in claim 7 , further comprising a battery for supplying power to the microcontroller and heating source.

10. A heating device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to supply current to the heating source according to a predetermined heating profile.

11. A heating device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the semiconductor chip comprises a MOSFET.

12. A method for generating heat, comprising:

providing a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip;

the semiconductor chip being responsive to a load current such that the semiconductor chip is configured to generate heat upon application of the load current;

supplying the load current to the semiconductor chip to generate heat from the semiconductor chip;

sensing the temperature at or near the heating source; and

varying the current supplied to the semiconductor chip to control the heat generated by the semiconductor chip.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 , further comprising:

providing a microcontroller that is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip; and

controlling the current supplied to the heating source to control the heat generated.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 , wherein varying the supplied current to the heating source varies the gate voltage of the heating source;

said gate voltage affecting the heat generated by the heating source.

15. A method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:

heating a sample chamber positioned adjacent the heating source with the heat generated by the heating source;

wherein the sample chamber is configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature.

16. A method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:

supplying current to the heating source according to a predetermined heating profile.

17. A method for heating a biological sample, comprising:

providing a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip;

the semiconductor chip being responsive to a load current such that the semiconductor chip is configured to generate heat upon application of the load current;

supplying a current to the semiconductor chip to generate heat from the semiconductor chip;

heating a sample chamber with the heat generated by the heating source;

the sample chamber positioned in proximity the heating source

wherein the sample chamber is configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature;

sensing the temperature at or near the heating source; and

varying the load current supplied to the heating source to control the heat generated by the heating source.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising:

providing a microcontroller that is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip; and

controlling the current supplied to the heating source to control the heat generated.

19. A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein varying the supplied current to the heating source varies the gate voltage of the heating source;

said gate voltage affecting the heat generated by the heating source.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 , further comprising:

supplying current to the heating source according to a predetermined heating profile.