CAREER: Development of an Integrated Millimeter-wave Fourier Transform Spectrometer for Detection and Identification of DNA

0238967 Barker生物战剂扩散的最近趋势，加上恐怖组织显然愿意攻击非战斗人员，增加了对便携式探测和识别装置的需要。目前用于检测生物战剂的方法使用检测脱氧核糖核酸（DNA）结合的传感器，并且识别需要有关DNA的先验知识。不幸的是，这些技术可能无法检测出那些经过基因改变的生物战剂。 此外，如果能研制出一种不依赖生化试剂就能探测DNA存在的设备，那么对其他行星上生命的搜寻也将受益匪浅。弗吉尼亚大学最近的研究表明，DNA在毫米波和亚毫米波频率范围（30-3000 GHz）内有许多共振模式。这些共振模式已经使用傅里叶变换光谱学进行了研究，并且已经发现这些振动模式的位置和强度对DNA的特定结构敏感。因此，它是可能的，通过相关的DNA序列的频率响应的制表检测和识别DNA的光谱测量在毫米波和亚毫米波frequency.The主要焦点的CAREER建议是调查的可能性集成在一个单一的芯片上的毫米波傅里叶变换光谱仪的干涉仪。这将有可能通过微机电系统（MEMS）设备的应用程序的开发的实时延迟移相器。具体而言，将开发100-200 GHz的多位分布式MEMS传输线移相器，并将其与一组兰格耦合器集成，以形成集成干涉仪。这种芯片将与弗吉尼亚大学其他研究人员正在开发的宽带频率源和探测器组装在一起。全国黑人工程师协会（NSBE）的弗吉尼亚大学分会有一个活跃的社区外展计划，称为“阁楼广场计划”。“这个项目旨在通过让学生与夏洛茨维尔市中心的公共住房开发区加勒特广场的孩子们分享他们自己和他们的知识来积极影响社区。通过这个项目，学生们希望通过充当榜样来灌输自我价值，学术卓越和社区意识。本CAREER提案的外展重点是开发一个交互式多媒体演示，可供NSBE在阁楼广场计划中使用。该演示将涵盖在其他行星上寻找生命和使用MEMS系统，如集成傅立叶变换光谱仪。

0238967BarkerRecent trends in the proliferation of biological warfare agents in addition to the obvious willingness of terrorist organizations to attack non-combatants has increased the need for a portable detection and identification device. Current methods for detection of biological warfare agents use sensors that detect binding of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and identification requires prior knowledge of the DNA of interest. Unfortunately, these techniques may not be capable of detecting those biological warfare agents that have been genetically altered. In addition, the search for life on other planets would greatly benefit from the development of a device that is capable of detecting the presence of DNA without relying on the use of biochemical reagents.Recent investigations at the University of Virginia have demonstrated that DNA hasnumerous resonant modes in the millimeter and submillimeter-wave frequency range (30-3000 GHz). These resonant modes have been investigated using Fourier transform spectroscopy and it has been discovered that the position and strengths of these vibrational modes are sensitive to the specific structure of the DNA. Thus, it is possible through the tabulation of the frequency response of relevant DNA sequences to detect and identify DNA by spectroscopic measurements in the millimeter and submillimeter-wave frequency range.The primary focus of this CAREER proposal is to investigate the possibility of integrating the interferometer of a millimeter-wave Fourier-transform spectrometer on a single chip. This will be made possible through the application of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices to the development of a true-time delay phase shifter. Specifically, a multibit distributed MEMS transmission line phase shifter will be developed from 100-200 GHz and integrated with a set of Lange couplers to form the integrated interferometer. This chip will be assembled with a broadband frequency source and a detector that are being developed by other researchers at the University of Virginia.The University of Virginia chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has an active community outreach program called the "Garret Square Program." This program seeks to positively impact the community by having students share of themselves and their knowledge with the children of Garret Square, a public housing development in downtown Charlottesville. Through this program, the students hope to instill self-worth, academic excellence, and a sense of community by serving as role models. The outreach focus of this CAREER proposal is to develop an interactive multimedia demonstration that can be used by the NSBE in the Garret Square Program. The demonstration will cover the search for life on other planets and the use of MEMS systems such as the integrated Fourier-transformspectrometer.