Resonant Sensor Wireless Interrogation Biopolymer Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a resonant sensor capable of wireless, passive sensing of biochemicals or trace chemicals in solid or gaseous form, utilizing biopolymers with voltage-tunable dielectric properties to enhance sensitivity and selectivity, and combining radio frequency (RF) and electro-optic measurement techniques for improved performance.
Innovation Solution
A resonant sensor design featuring a top conductive layer with a center signal line and a bottom conductive layer shunted by a non-linear inductive shunt line, with a sensing layer between them, allowing for capacitance changes in response to analyte binding, and incorporating electro-optic biopolymers or piezoelectric thin films, along with integrated antennas for wireless operation and enhanced specificity through nanoparticles or composite materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a resonant sensor uses a functionalized biopolymer sensing layer to detect biochemicals, then sensitivity and selectivity are improved, but the sensor requires complex RF and electro-optic measurement techniques and voltage tuning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex voltage tuning mechanisms and electro-optic measurement techniques by using a simple resonant frequency shift measurement approach. The sensor detects analytes through changes in resonance frequency caused by dielectric property changes in the biopolymer layer, removing unnecessary complexity while maintaining high sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electro-optic measurement systems with a simpler RF resonant frequency measurement system. By substituting the mechanical/optical measurement approach with an electromagnetic resonant frequency detection method, the sensor achieves equivalent or superior sensitivity with significantly reduced system complexity
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor operates passively for wireless interrogation, then power consumption is reduced, but the sensor requires integrated antennas and RF measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor structure serves multiple functions: the conductive layers form both the resonant circuit and the antenna elements, while the sensing layer serves both as the dielectric medium for resonance and as the analyte detection interface. This multi-functionality enables passive wireless operation without adding separate antenna components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the resonant sensor structure with the antenna structure by using the same top and bottom conductive layers for both purposes. This integration eliminates the need for separate antenna components while enabling wireless passive interrogation through RF signal coupling
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sensor achieves high sensitivity and selectivity by detecting small changes in capacitance and resonance frequency, enabling effective detection of specific environmental analytes with low false positives and zero-power operation through wireless interrogation.
Implementation Method 1
Polymers that are biopolymers, such as, for example Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) cetyltrimethylammonium (CTMA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been found to have unique dielectrical properties. These biodielectrics can exhibit voltage tuneable dielectric properties at room temperatures at microwave frequencies.
Implementation Method 2
a capacitor is created by the overlap of the center signal line of the top conductive layer and the shunt line of the bottom conductive layer and electrical properties of the sensing layer change in response to binding the specific environmental analyte with the sensing layer
Implementation Method 3
the shunt line acts as an inductor and has a non-linear pattern
Implementation Method 4
The capacitor and shunt line may be used to form a resonant circuit with a specific resonance frequency
Implementation Method 5
In yet another embodiment, the sensing layer can be an electro-optic biopolymer
Implementation Method 6
In still another embodiment, the sensing layer can be a piezoelectric thin film
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 1d
AI summary
A resonant sensor for detecting a specific environmental analyte is presented. The resonant sensor comprises a top conductive layer of two ground conductors and a center signal line, a bottom conductive layer of two ground lines shunted together by a shunt line and a sensing layer positioned between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer. A capacitor is created by the overlap of the center signal line of the top conductive layer and the shunt line of the bottom conductive layer. Electrical properties of the sensing layer change in response to binding the specific environmental analyte with the sensing layer. The sensing layer can be an electro-optic polymer. Nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes can be dispersed within the sensing layer to bind with the specific environmental analyte. An integrated antenna can be incorporated into to sensor to receive radio frequencies for wireless, passive sensing.