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

巴克尔最近生物战剂扩散的趋势，加上恐怖组织袭击非战斗人员的明显意愿，增加了对便携式探测和识别设备的需求。目前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，识别需要事先了解感兴趣的DNA。不幸的是，这些技术可能无法检测到那些经过基因改造的生物战剂。此外，寻找其他行星上的生命将极大地受益于一种设备的开发，这种设备能够在不依赖于使用生化试剂的情况下检测DNA的存在。弗吉尼亚大学最近的研究表明，DNA在毫米和亚毫米波(30-3000 GHz)的频率范围内有许多共振模式。用傅里叶变换光谱研究了这些共振模式，发现这些模式的位置和强度对DNA的特定结构很敏感。因此，通过制表相关DNA序列的频率响应，可以通过在毫米波和亚毫米波频率范围内的光谱测量来检测和识别DNA。这项职业计划的主要重点是研究在单个芯片上集成毫米波傅里叶变换光谱仪的干涉仪的可能性。通过将微电子机械系统(MEMS)器件应用于实时延迟移相器的开发，这将成为可能。具体地说，将在100-200 GHz范围内开发一个多位分布式MEMS传输线移相器，并与一组朗格耦合器集成构成集成干涉仪。这种芯片将与维吉尼亚大学的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)弗吉尼亚大学分会有一个活跃的社区推广计划，称为“加勒特广场计划”。这项计划旨在通过让学生与夏洛茨维尔市中心的公共住房开发项目加雷特广场的孩子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、学业卓越和社区意识。这份职业计划的外展重点是开发一种交互式多媒体演示，可供NSBE在加勒特广场项目中使用。演示将包括在其他行星上寻找生命，以及使用MEMS系统，如集成的傅立叶变换光谱仪。

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.