Microwave Microfluidic Sensor for Detecting Heavy Metal Pollution in Water

In this paper, a high sensitivity microwave planar microlluidic sensor for measuring the concentration of two heavy metals solutions (CrCl2) and (HgCl2) are presented. The sensor consists of a microstrip transmission line loaded with a series connected shunt LC resonator. A microfluidic channel is attached to the area with the highest electric field concentration. The electric field distribution and, therefore, the resonance characteristics are modified by applying samples with different concentrations (0 - 5 g/L). The sensor performance and working principle are described through a circuit model analysis. A device prototype is fabricated, and experimental measurements using both solutions are presented for validation of the sensing principle.