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

[00:238967] barker最近生物战剂扩散的趋势，加上恐怖组织攻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。目前用于检测生物战剂的方法使用传感器来检测脱氧核糖核酸（DNA）的结合，并且鉴定需要事先了解目标DNA。不幸的是，这些技术可能无法探测到那些基因被改变的生物战剂。此外，如果研制出一种无需使用生化试剂就能探测到DNA存在的设备，那么在其他行星上寻找生命的工作将大大受益。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内（30-3000千兆赫）有许多共振模式。利用傅里叶变换光谱对这些共振模式进行了研究，发现这些振动模式的位置和强度对DNA的特定结构很敏感。因此，通过相关DNA序列的频率响应的制表，可以在毫米波和亚毫米波频率范围内通过光谱测量来检测和鉴定DNA。本CAREER方案的主要重点是研究毫米波傅立叶变换光谱仪干涉仪集成在单芯片上的可能性。这将通过应用微机电系统（MEMS）器件来开发实时延迟移相器而成为可能。具体而言，将开发100-200 GHz的多比特分布式MEMS传输线移相器，并与一组兰格耦合器集成形成集成干涉仪。这种芯片将与一个宽带频率源和一个探测器组装在一起，后者正在由弗吉尼亚大学的其他研究人员开发。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项目，叫做“加勒特广场项目”。该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项目加勒特广场的孩子们分享自己和他们的知识，对社区产生积极影响。通过这个项目，学生们希望通过作为榜样来灌输自我价值、学习成绩优秀和社区意识。本CAREER提案的外展重点是开发一个可由NSBE在加勒特广场项目中使用的交互式多媒体演示。该演示将涵盖在其他行星上寻找生命和MEMS系统的使用，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.