Label-free millimeter-wave sensor for investigations of biological model membrane systems

Paper in proceeding, 2015

We demonstrate a millimeter-wave sensing method based on a coplanar waveguide for biological membrane studies in an open-volume fluidic arrangement. On-wafer measurements of scattering parameters were performed up to 110 GHz. The sensor shows the ability to distinguish the addition of 20% cholesterol in artificial biological membranes, which is an important component influencing the stability and fluidity of such systems. This is the first stage in the development of a millimeter-wave sensor for biological model membrane studies.