Nanostructure Enforced High Resolution Microwave Smart Sensors: The Next Generation of Non-invasive Robust Portable Sensors

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This research program will focus on the interaction of nanostructure materials with microwave high-resolution devices and will study the possibility of monolithic fabrication and integration of the nano-materials to the high-resolution microwave devices in order to achieve a low-cost, miniaturized, sensitive, selective and robust, state-of-the-art sensor structures. The sensor device will be communicating with an external portable processor and display unit (ex. smart devices and smart phones) through a wireless communication link. Orthogonal sensing methods such as optical techniques (ex. UV-Light) will be investigated along with material study with focus on microwave readout technique to enhance the performance of the sensor device regarding to selectivity and sensitivity parameters. From sensing perspective, this program promises to miniaturize the sensor devices considerably, comparing to the current microwave sensor structures, while increasing the surface area tremendously, by integrate them with nano-scale materials. The sensor structure will be benefited immensely from the nano-scale materials as an interface layer, which not only improves the sensitivity of the sensor but also provides a suitable level of selectivity for the sensor to specific gas or liquid molecules as target materials. To enable orthogonal sensing methods other effects, such as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the interface layer, will be investigated in presence of the target materials, using microwave device as the electronic readout. The effect of decorating noble metals, such as Gold, Silver, and Platinum, on electrical and optical properties of the interface layer and consequently on the response of the microwave device will be studied and investigated. This research will light up the Schottky barrier in the interface of the metal to the semiconductor carrier layer junction (which is 3 to 4 orders of magnitude more sensitive than chemoresistive responses) to be used as the sensitive region for the microwave sensor devices.This research program will promote an entirely new category of microwave resonator sensor components and systems for versatile applications, such as in the biomedical and environmental sectors. It will offer a considerable increase in sensitivity, selectivity, resolution and robustness, regarding to currently available microwave sensing technology, thereby leading to microwave sensor devices with superior performance while operating in contactless fashion. Handheld, precise and real-time biomedical, security and safety analyzer devices are anticipated as a result of this program, which will be beneficial for Canadian society regarding to reducing the cost and time of medical analyses and reducing the unnecessary patient visits to medical centers. The study can lead to sensors for defense, medical and natural gas sectors.