Embedded antennas for measuring the electrical properties of materials
OwnerCynthia M. Furse, Nitin Madan +1inventors
InventorsCynthia M. Furse, Nitin Madan, Jeffrey D. Ward
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Abstract
A microstrip antenna that is capable of measuring electrical properties of materials, wherein the properties of relative permittivity and conductivity are utilized to determine information regarding the materials being probed such as quality, composition, presence, and moisture content, wherein the microstrip antenna conforms to a variety of surfaces, operates in hazardous environments, is manufactured utilizing printed circuit board techniques, and makes measurements through direct contact with or being adjacent to the material being probed.
Claims4
A system for determining electrical properties of a subject material, said system comprising:
- a microstrip antenna comprising:
- a ground plane,
- an insulating material disposed on the ground plane in a plane thereof;
- and
- a microstrip antenna structure disposed on the insulating material;
- and
- an impedance measuring device coupled to the microstrip antenna structure to thereby enable detection of a change of impedance of the microstrip antenna structure.
A method for determining electrical properties of a subject material utilizing a microstrip antenna, said method comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing a microstrip antenna and an impedance measuring device, wherein the microstrip antenna is coupled to the impedance measuring device;
- (2) disposing the microstrip antenna adjacent to the subject material;
- (3) measuring a change in impedance of the microstrip antenna utilizing the impedance measuring device;
- and
- (4) correlating the change in impedance to a physical characteristic of the subject material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.