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Advanced Material Science and Engineering: Metamaterials, Material Characterizations, and Sensing Techniques

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Physics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2023) | Viewed by 10686

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Centre for Telecommunication Research and Innovation (CeTRI), Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Taman Tasik Utama, Ayer Keroh 75450, Malacca, Malaysia
Interests: UWB antennas; metamaterial and metasurface; microwave sensors; reflectors; 5G and sub 6 GHz
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Telecommunication Research and Innovation (CeTRI), Faculty of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Jalan Hang Tuah Jaya, Melaka 76100, Malaysia
Interests: microwave devices development, such as planar and non-planar microwave filters, resonators, amplifiers, and antennas
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advances in material science, particularly in the field of nanotechnology, have triggered significant research progress. Attributed to the high surface periodic structures arising from nanostructured materials, they are shown to exhibit unusual physicochemical properties in comparison with their bulk counterparts. Due to health and environmental considerations, several sensors, ranging from gas sensors to biosensors, have actively been used. An improved performance was achieved when rationally designed nanostructured materials were carefully employed for sensing applications. Metamaterials are a novel type of functional material based on unique patterns or structures that enable them to interact with light and other sources of energy in ways that are not found in natural materials. The internal structure determines the properties of these artificially engineered composite materials rather than the chemical composition inherent in natural materials.

This Special Issue aims to showcase recent developments, advances, and new frontiers in advanced material science and engineering: metamaterials, material characterizations, and sensing techniques. We welcome research on employing nanostructured materials for specific types of sensors (such as gas sensors, biosensors, and pressure sensors). Another research area includes metamaterials development for wireless communication systems. We also encourage original research and review articles that apply ideas and techniques from different areas to understand the problems and challenges in advanced material technology.

Dr. Ahmed Jamal Abdullah Al-Gburi
Prof. Dr. Zahriladha Zakaria
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • microfluidics
  • microwave sensors
  • biosensors
  • material characterizations
  • sensing materials
  • metamaterials
  • electromagnetic radiation and absorber
  • polymer
  • photonic sensors

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1541 KiB  
Article
Fermat Principle, Ramsey Theory and Metamaterials
by Mark Frenkel, Shraga Shoval and Edward Bormashenko
Materials 2023, 16(24), 7571; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16247571 - 9 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1715
Abstract
Reinterpretation of the Fermat principle governing the propagation of light in media within the Ramsey theory is suggested. Complete bi-colored graphs corresponding to light propagation in media are considered. The vertices of the graphs correspond to the points in real physical space in [...] Read more.
Reinterpretation of the Fermat principle governing the propagation of light in media within the Ramsey theory is suggested. Complete bi-colored graphs corresponding to light propagation in media are considered. The vertices of the graphs correspond to the points in real physical space in which the light sources or sensors are placed. Red links in the graphs correspond to the actual optical paths, emerging from the Fermat principle. A variety of optical events, such as refraction and reflection, may be involved in light propagation. Green links, in turn, denote the trial/virtual optical paths, which actually do not occur. The Ramsey theorem states that within the graph containing six points, inevitably, the actual or virtual optical cycle will be present. The implementation of the Ramsey theorem with regard to light propagation in metamaterials is discussed. The Fermat principle states that in metamaterials, a light ray, in going from point S to point P, must traverse an optical path length L that is stationary with respect to variations of this path. Thus, bi-colored graphs consisting of links corresponding to maxima or minima of the optical paths become possible. The graphs, comprising six vertices, will inevitably demonstrate optical cycles consisting of the mono-colored links corresponding to the maxima or minima of the optical path. The notion of the “inverse graph” is introduced and discussed. The total number of triangles in the “direct” (source) and “inverse” Ramsey optical graphs is the same. The applications of “Ramsey optics” are discussed, and an optical interpretation of the infinite Ramsey theorem is suggested. Full article
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21 pages, 6094 KiB  
Article
A Miniaturized and Highly Sensitive Microwave Sensor Based on CSRR for Characterization of Liquid Materials
by Ahmed Jamal Abdullah Al-Gburi, Zahriladha Zakaria, Norhanani Abd Rahman, Ayman A. Althuwayb, Imran Mohd Ibrahim, Tale Saeidi, Zaheer Ahmed Dayo and Sarosh Ahmad
Materials 2023, 16(9), 3416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093416 - 27 Apr 2023
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2429
Abstract
In this work, a miniaturized and highly sensitive microwave sensor based on a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) is proposed for the detection of liquid materials. The modeled sensor was designed based on the CSRR structure with triple rings (TRs) and a curve feed [...] Read more.
In this work, a miniaturized and highly sensitive microwave sensor based on a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) is proposed for the detection of liquid materials. The modeled sensor was designed based on the CSRR structure with triple rings (TRs) and a curve feed for improved measurement sensitivity. The designed sensor oscillates at a single frequency of 2.5 GHz, which is simulated using an Ansys HFSS simulator. The electromagnetic simulation explains the basis of the mode resonance of all two-port resonators. Five variations of the liquid media under tests (MUTs) are simulated and measured. These liquid MUTs are as follows: without a sample (without a tube), air (empty tube), ethanol, methanol, and distilled water (DI). A detailed sensitivity calculation is performed for the resonance band at 2.5 GHz. The MUTs mechanism is performed with a polypropylene tube (PP). The samples of dielectric material are filled into PP tube channels and loaded into the CSRR center hole; the E-fields around the sensor affect the relationship with the liquid MUTs, resulting in a high Q-factor value. The final sensor has a Q-factor value and sensitivity of 520 and 7.032 (MHz)/εr) at 2.5 GHz, respectively. Due to the high sensitivity of the presented sensor for characterizing various liquid penetrations, the sensor is also of interest for accurate estimations of solute concentrations in liquid media. Finally, the relationship between the permittivity and Q-factor value at the resonant frequency is derived and investigated. These given results make the presented resonator ideal for the characterization of liquid materials. Full article
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12 pages, 4504 KiB  
Article
Sensitivity of Al-Doped Zinc-Oxide Extended Gate Field Effect Transistors to Low-Dose X-ray Radiation
by Amal Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Naser M. Ahmed, Norlaili A. Kabir, Ahmad M. AL-Diabat, Natheer A. Algadri, Ahmed Alsadig, Osamah A. Aldaghri and Khalid H. Ibnaouf
Materials 2023, 16(5), 1868; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16051868 - 24 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1490
Abstract
Herein, we investigated the applicability of thick film and bulk disk forms of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) for low-dose X-ray radiation dosimetry using the extended gate field effect transistor (EGFET) configuration. The samples were fabricated using the chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. A [...] Read more.
Herein, we investigated the applicability of thick film and bulk disk forms of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) for low-dose X-ray radiation dosimetry using the extended gate field effect transistor (EGFET) configuration. The samples were fabricated using the chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. A thick film of AZO was deposited on a glass substrate, while the bulk disk form was prepared by pressing the collected powders. The prepared samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) to determine the crystallinity and surface morphology. The analyses show that the samples are crystalline and comprise nanosheets of varying sizes. The EGFET devices were exposed to different X-ray radiation doses, then characterized by measuring the I–V characteristics pre- and post-irradiation. The measurements revealed an increase in the values of drain–source currents with radiation doses. To study the detection efficiency of the device, various bias voltages were also tested for the linear and saturation regimes. Performance parameters of the devices, such as sensitivity to X-radiation exposure and different gate bias voltage, were found to depend highly on the device geometry. The bulk disk type appears to be more radiation-sensitive than the AZO thick film. Furthermore, boosting the bias voltage increased the sensitivity of both devices. Full article
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18 pages, 9879 KiB  
Article
Microwave Imaging Approach for Breast Cancer Detection Using a Tapered Slot Antenna Loaded with Parasitic Components
by Fatima-ezzahra Zerrad, Mohamed Taouzari, El Mostafa Makroum, Jamal El Aoufi, Salah D. Qanadli, Muharrem Karaaslan, Ahmed Jamal Abdullah Al-Gburi and Zahriladha Zakaria
Materials 2023, 16(4), 1496; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16041496 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3111
Abstract
In this paper, a wideband antenna is proposed for ultra-wideband microwave imaging applications. The antenna is comprised of a tapered slot ground, a rectangular slotted patch and four star-shaped parasitic components. The added slotted patch is shown to be effective in improving the [...] Read more.
In this paper, a wideband antenna is proposed for ultra-wideband microwave imaging applications. The antenna is comprised of a tapered slot ground, a rectangular slotted patch and four star-shaped parasitic components. The added slotted patch is shown to be effective in improving the bandwidth and gain. The proposed antenna system provides a realized gain of 6 dBi, an efficiency of around 80% on the radiation bandwidth, and a wide impedance bandwidth (S11 < −10 dB) of 6.3 GHz (from 3.8 to 10.1 GHz). This supports a true wideband operation. Furthermore, the fidelity factor for face-to-face (FtF) direction is 91.6%, and for side by side (SbS) is 91.2%. This proves the excellent directionality and less signal distortion of the designed antenna. These high figures establish the potential use of the proposed antenna for imaging. A heterogeneous breast phantom with dielectric characteristics identical to actual breast tissue with the presence of tumors was constructed for experimental validation. An antenna array of the proposed antenna element was situated over an artificial breast to collect reflected and transmitted waves for tumor characterization. Finally, an imaging algorithm was used to process the retrieved data to recreate the image in order to detect the undesirable tumor object inside the breast phantom. Full article
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