CAREER: Versatile Integrated Platforms for Broadband Microwave Dielectric Spectroscopy

本研究的目的是为了满足基于全集成硅平台的多功能宽带微波介电谱系统的需求。该方法基于（1）开发由具有相位/幅度读出电路的真实时间延迟感测单元组成的传感器阵列;（2）设计宽带微波频率扫描发生器以激励传感器阵列;以及（3）将传感器阵列和读出电子器件与流体模块和外部处理单元组合为混合芯片实验室平台。所提出的光谱方案使复介电常数测量在一个广泛的微波频率范围内实现一个自我维持的芯片实验室平台，通过采用集成的真时间延迟无源传感器的范式转变。高灵敏度材料表征基于检测由传感器和样品之间的局部电磁相互作用引起的信号的相位/幅度变化。传感器阵列由宽带扫描发生器激励，每个传感器的相位/幅度通过时分复用控制回路检测，以提高检测分辨率和带宽。更广泛的影响：低成本和小尺寸的微波光谱系统可以显著提高即时医疗诊断、生物威胁检测、农业和食品/药品安全的能力。该项目通过学生研究项目促进教育和外联活动。代表性不足的群体的教育机会将通过与得克萨斯州农工大学的丰富经验工程项目合作，为少数民族高中教师提供工程讲习班来探索。参加年度ECE？不插电和女工程师协会夏令营将有助于激励高中生和女学生加入工程项目。

The objective of this research is to address the need for versatile broadband microwave dielectric spectroscopy systems based on fully-integrated silicon platforms. The approach is based on (1) developing a sensor array consisting of true-time-delay sensing units with phase/amplitude read-out circuits; (2) designing a wideband microwave frequency sweep generator to excite the sensor array; and (3) combining the sensor array, and read-out electronics with a fluidic module and an external processing unit as a hybrid lab-on-chip platform.Intellectual Merit: The proposed spectroscopy scheme enables complex permittivity measurements over a broad microwave frequency range to realize a self-sustained lab-on-chip platform through the paradigm shift of employing integrated true-time-delay passive sensors. High sensitivity material characterization is based on detecting phase/amplitude change of a signal caused by localized electromagnetic interaction between sensor and sample. An array of sensors is excited with a wideband sweep generator and the phase/amplitude of each sensor is detected using a time-multiplexed control loop to enhance detection resolution and bandwidth.Broader Impacts: Low-cost and small-size microwave spectroscopy systems could significantly enhance the capabilities for point-of-care medical diagnosis, bio-threat detection, agriculture and food/drug safety. The project promotes education and outreach activities through research projects for students. Educational opportunities for under-represented groups will be explored by collaborating with Enrichment Experience Engineering program at Texas A&M University to provide workshops for minority high school teachers in engineering. Attending annual ECE?Unplugged and Society of Women Engineers summer camps will help to inspire high school and women students to join the engineering program.