Microwave Sensors Packaging for Liquid Materials Characterization in Harsh Environments

Industrial processes are continuously evolving to reduce environmental pollution, save energy, and remain economically competitive. In order to achieve these goals and optimize industrial processes such as combustion in cars and airplanes, or drilling in downhole oil extraction wells, the processes parameters need to be accurately monitored and effectively analyzed. Sensors are able to transduce physical signals into meaningful electronic signals for processing and decision-making purposes. Recent industrial developments have shifted the paradigm of automotive, aerospace, and oil industry demands towards extreme environment applications, requiring microelectronics to be operated at high-temperature environments (>130 °C). Microwave sensing as an emerging technology with contactless, non-intrusive, and robust monitoring and detection capability is an outstanding candidate for those applications. However, the backbone of these sensors still relies on microelectronics that operate at ambient temperatures. The innovation will be integrating the transducer component, the readout electronics, and the fluidic channels on a single substrate for reliable and ultrasensitive detection of analytes. The unique method will provide further miniaturization and enhancement to microwave sensor functionality in inaccessible environments without requiring an input source or expensive auxiliary equipment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mohammad H Zarifi

Student:

Arezoo Hosseini

Partner:

Alberta Centre for Advanced MNT Products

Discipline:

Other

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Program: