Resonance-Based Microwave Monitoring of Live/Dead Bacteria in a Microfluidic Channel

Abstract

In this work, we have studied a highly sensitive microwave sensor for the detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria at the single-cell level. The proposed system integrates a microwave sensor with a microfluidic channel for bacteria flow control. The microwave sensor is based on a planar microwave annular ring resonator working around 5GHz. Inside the channel, E. coli bacteria have been modeled using dielectric characteristics present in state-of-the-art literature. To enhance field confinement and achieve the highest electric field strength we have introduced two 50um gaps into the resonator. This approach holds great potential for different applications, including food safety control, healthcare diagnosis, and environmental monitoring, where the ability to detect a single E. coli cell is paramount.