High-frequency spectroscopy for material characterization and substance detection
A university research lab offering high-frequency (microwave, millimeter wave, and terahertz) spectroscopy to characterize the electrical properties of solid, wet, and liquid materials. The technology detects substances through refractive index and absorption coefficient measurements, with applications in medical tissue analysis, liquid sensing, and radar-absorbing material evaluation.
Overview
This solution offers advanced high-frequency spectroscopy capabilities for characterizing the electrical properties of solid, wet, and liquid materials. By measuring refractive index and absorption coefficient across microwave, millimeter wave, and terahertz frequency bands, the technology can detect and quantify substances within a sample. The approach is versatile, supporting both reflection-mode and transmission-mode measurements to accommodate materials with varying conductivity levels. Potential applications include medical diagnostics through tissue characterization, water quality analysis, and evaluation of radar-absorbing materials.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Multi-band spectroscopy covering microwave, millimeter wave, and terahertz frequency ranges
- Measurement of refractive index and absorption coefficient to identify material composition
- Reflection-mode and transmission-mode measurement capabilities optimized for conductive and insulating materials
- Experimental, modeling, software, and theoretical analysis techniques integrated into a single lab workflow
- Validated on freshly excised cancerous tissue, water and other liquids, and solid carbon-based radar-absorbing materials
- Reflection-mode sensing expected to outperform transmission-mode for high-conductivity materials such as water
Technology readiness level
The technology has been experimentally validated across multiple sample types, including biological tissue, liquids, and solid materials. Current research is focused on extending detection capabilities to measure total chlorine concentration in water at an accuracy of 0.1 mg/l, with future validation planned through controlled laboratory experiments using gradual chlorine concentration variations. The lab is seeking partnerships to advance sensor miniaturization and frequency-band optimization for specific detection applications.
About University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship of the state system, pairing broad academic breadth with an applied, partnership‑oriented research culture. Industry engages through a research and technology park that co‑locates labs, startups, and corporate tenants, with shared instrumentation and prototyping resources. Experiential pipelines—co‑ops and internships across engineering and business—connect companies with talent year‑round, and proximity to multiple Fortune 500 headquarters supports rapid piloting and scale‑up. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD, and a dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, startups, and corporate‑sponsored research.
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