Films loaded with Carbon-based materials (sensors and tunable devices)

Chemically functionalized graphene films can be used for the detection of concentration of glucose due to the variation in their electrical properties. We focus on passive RF biosensors (split ring resonator, microstrip antennas) realized using standard PCB etching techniques. The graphene film is deposited on the sensor and the film is properly functionalized for detection of the glucose. Varying concentrations of glucose are introduced on the film, varying its impedance and resulting in a shift in the resonant frequency of the resonator.
 
Graphene deposition can also be used in the design of tunable microwave components. The conductivity of graphene can be tuned by the help of a DC voltage. The real part of the conductivity of graphene varies constantly throughout the microwave frequency spectrum up to almost 300 GHz when a DC voltage is applied. The imaginary part of the conductivity remains unchanged with the application of a DC voltage. This makes it very easy to deploy microwave passive components like attenuators, antennas and phase shifters.
 
Biosensor activity was supported by VV3TT Venture Factory in the framework of the Proof of Concept Venture project ‘RaFrBio’ of VV3TT Venture Factory.
This research activity is developed in cooperation with Oldenburger OFFIS, Germany, and CNRISMN (Istituto per lo studio dei materiali nanostrutturati), Roma.

ERC Sector:

  • PE7_11 Components and systems for applications
  • PE5_6 New materials: oxides, alloys, composite, organic-inorganic hybrid, nanoparticles
  • PE4_17 Characterisation methods of materials 

Keywords:

  • Sensors
  • Aerospace materials
  • Composite materials
  • Material testing

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