Resonant sensors for wireless monitoring of cell concentration

A system comprising:

• a container arranged to hold proteins, cells, or small molecules;
• a resonant sensor embedded in or on the container, the resonant sensor having an inductive element and a capacitive element, the container and resonant sensor structured such that, when a concentration of the proteins, cells, or small molecules in the container changes, dielectric permittivity and conductivity of the proteins, cells, or small molecules contributes to capacitance of the resonant sensor to affect a resonant frequency shift of the resonant sensor;
• and
• a network analyzer to wirelessly interrogate the resonant sensor from outside the container and to wirelessly transmit data collected from the interrogation.

A method comprising:

• providing a container holding proteins, cells, or small molecules;
• interrogating, using a network analyzer outside the container, a resonant sensor embedded in or on the container, the resonant sensor having an inductive element and a capacitive element, the container and resonant sensor structured such that, when a concentration of the proteins, cells, or small molecules in the container changes, dielectric permittivity and conductivity of the proteins, cells, or small molecules contributes to capacitance of the resonant sensor to affect a resonant frequency shift of the resonant sensor;
• monitoring the resonant frequency of the resonant sensor from the interrogation at a number of different times;
• and
• evaluating status of the proteins, cells, or small molecules from the monitored resonant frequency.