A Microstrip Transmission Line Biosensor to Measure the Interaction between Microliter Aqueous Solutions and 1.0–17.0 GHz Radio Frequencies

Radio frequency (RF) biosensors are an expanding field of interest because of the ability to design noninvasive, label-free, low-production-cost sensing devices. Previous works identified the need for smaller experimental devices, requiring nanoliter to milliliter sampling volumes and increased capa...

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Main Authors: Mary Godfrey, Daniel Ewert, Ryan Striker, Benjamin Braaten
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-05-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/11/5193
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author Mary Godfrey
Daniel Ewert
Ryan Striker
Benjamin Braaten
author_facet Mary Godfrey
Daniel Ewert
Ryan Striker
Benjamin Braaten
author_sort Mary Godfrey
collection DOAJ
description Radio frequency (RF) biosensors are an expanding field of interest because of the ability to design noninvasive, label-free, low-production-cost sensing devices. Previous works identified the need for smaller experimental devices, requiring nanoliter to milliliter sampling volumes and increased capability of repeatable and sensitive measurement capability. The following work aims to verify a millimeter-sized, microstrip transmission line biosensor design with a microliter well operating on a broadband radio frequency range of 1.0–17.0 GHz. Three successive experiments were performed to provide evidence for (1) repeatability of measurements after loading/unloading the well, (2) sensitivity of measurement sets, and (3) methodology verification. Materials under test (MUTs) loaded into the well included deionized water, Tris-EDTA buffer, and lambda DNA. S-parameters were measured to determine interaction levels between the radio frequencies and MUTs during the broadband sweep. MUTs increasing in concentration were repeatably detected and demonstrated high measurement sensitivity, with the highest error value observed being 0.36%. Comparing Tris-EDTA buffer versus lambda DNA suspended in Tris-EDTA buffer suggests that introducing lambda DNA into the Tris-EDTA buffer repeatably alters S-parameters. The innovative aspect of this biosensor is that it can measure interactions of electromagnetic energy and MUTs in microliter quantities with high repeatability and sensitivity.
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spelling doaj.art-19ca45611bee492981d5eb53d132818d2023-11-18T08:33:49ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-05-012311519310.3390/s23115193A Microstrip Transmission Line Biosensor to Measure the Interaction between Microliter Aqueous Solutions and 1.0–17.0 GHz Radio FrequenciesMary Godfrey0Daniel Ewert1Ryan Striker2Benjamin Braaten3College of Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USACollege of Engineering and Mines, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USACollege of Engineering and Mines, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USACollege of Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USARadio frequency (RF) biosensors are an expanding field of interest because of the ability to design noninvasive, label-free, low-production-cost sensing devices. Previous works identified the need for smaller experimental devices, requiring nanoliter to milliliter sampling volumes and increased capability of repeatable and sensitive measurement capability. The following work aims to verify a millimeter-sized, microstrip transmission line biosensor design with a microliter well operating on a broadband radio frequency range of 1.0–17.0 GHz. Three successive experiments were performed to provide evidence for (1) repeatability of measurements after loading/unloading the well, (2) sensitivity of measurement sets, and (3) methodology verification. Materials under test (MUTs) loaded into the well included deionized water, Tris-EDTA buffer, and lambda DNA. S-parameters were measured to determine interaction levels between the radio frequencies and MUTs during the broadband sweep. MUTs increasing in concentration were repeatably detected and demonstrated high measurement sensitivity, with the highest error value observed being 0.36%. Comparing Tris-EDTA buffer versus lambda DNA suspended in Tris-EDTA buffer suggests that introducing lambda DNA into the Tris-EDTA buffer repeatably alters S-parameters. The innovative aspect of this biosensor is that it can measure interactions of electromagnetic energy and MUTs in microliter quantities with high repeatability and sensitivity.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/11/5193RF biosensormicrostrip transmission line sensormicroliter sensorbiosensing
spellingShingle Mary Godfrey
Daniel Ewert
Ryan Striker
Benjamin Braaten
A Microstrip Transmission Line Biosensor to Measure the Interaction between Microliter Aqueous Solutions and 1.0–17.0 GHz Radio Frequencies
Sensors
RF biosensor
microstrip transmission line sensor
microliter sensor
biosensing
title A Microstrip Transmission Line Biosensor to Measure the Interaction between Microliter Aqueous Solutions and 1.0–17.0 GHz Radio Frequencies
title_full A Microstrip Transmission Line Biosensor to Measure the Interaction between Microliter Aqueous Solutions and 1.0–17.0 GHz Radio Frequencies
title_fullStr A Microstrip Transmission Line Biosensor to Measure the Interaction between Microliter Aqueous Solutions and 1.0–17.0 GHz Radio Frequencies
title_full_unstemmed A Microstrip Transmission Line Biosensor to Measure the Interaction between Microliter Aqueous Solutions and 1.0–17.0 GHz Radio Frequencies
title_short A Microstrip Transmission Line Biosensor to Measure the Interaction between Microliter Aqueous Solutions and 1.0–17.0 GHz Radio Frequencies
title_sort microstrip transmission line biosensor to measure the interaction between microliter aqueous solutions and 1 0 17 0 ghz radio frequencies
topic RF biosensor
microstrip transmission line sensor
microliter sensor
biosensing
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/11/5193
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