GOALI/COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH - Flexible Ferroelectric-Based Antenna Arrays For Conformal Radiometric Imaging

本研究的目的是调查微型辐射传感器，符合测试下的表面，并能够通过频率调整的热成像到不同的深度。 该方法基于使用柔性微波天线，其中嵌入集成电路以检测微波频率范围内的热辐射，并动态地调整传感器特性以考虑接触表面（例如人类皮肤）的性质的变化。该传感器可用于移动的监测体内温度、伤口愈合和其他生理现象。该项目的智力优势在于天线设计、纳米铁电器件和辐射计设计的进步，使无源微波传感发生变革。在这项研究中针对的具体进展包括：一致的和频率捷变天线;阻抗传感集成电路与嵌入式调谐网络;和芯片级辐射计，可以直接集成到antenna.The更广泛的影响，该项目包括微波传感器设计的一般领域的进步，产生从根本上新的方法，地下生物医学监测。应用范围超出了生物医学系统，包括用于结构监测和通信设备的无线传感器。行业伙伴关系将使研究团队能够在学术和研究界之外广泛传播成果。 该项目还将吸引本科生，同时利用正在进行的大学课程，吸引代表性不足的学生到工程。一个新的高级/研究生一级的项目为基础的课程，整合研究成果，包括微波集成电路设计和制造，将开发。

The objective of this research is to investigate miniature radiometric sensors that conform to a surface under test and are capable of thermal imaging to varying depths via frequency adjustment. The approach is based on the use of flexible microwave antennas within which integrated circuits are embedded to detect thermal radiation in the microwave frequency range, and dynamically adjust the sensor characteristics to account for variations in the properties of the contacting surface, such as human skin. The sensors can be applied for mobile monitoring of internal body temperature, wound healing, and other physiological phenomena.The intellectual merit of this project lies in advancements in antenna design, nanoscale ferroelectric devices and radiometer design, enabling a transformative change in passive microwave sensing. Specific advances targeted in this research include: conformable and frequency-agile antennas; impedance-sensing integrated circuits with embedded tuning networks; and a chip-scale radiometer that can be directly integrated into the antenna.The broader impacts of the project include advancements in the general field of microwave sensor design, yielding fundamentally new approaches for subsurface biomedical monitoring. Applications extend beyond biomedical systems and include uses such as wireless sensors for structural monitoring and communications devices. The industry partnerships will enable the research team to broadly disseminate results beyond the academic and research community. The project will also engage undergraduate students, while leveraging ongoing university programs that attract underrepresented students to engineering. A new senior/graduate-level project-based course that integrates research outcomes, and includes microwave integrated circuit design and fabrication, will be developed.