A Novel Reconfigurable EBG Structure and Its Potential Use as Liquid Sensor

A novel reconfigurable antenna using a modified electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure is introduced. The EBG is made of an array of square patches with a series of cuts and grooves in the dielectric material between the patches. These grooves allow for the deposition of liquids that can be used to change the resonant frequency of the antenna. The variation in the dielectric permittivity of the liquids produces a change in the reflected phase of the EBG. This change in phase is detected using a planar antenna placed at a short distance from the EBG structure. The change in phase in the EBG produces a change in the reflection coefficient of the antenna. This relationship is shown to be linear for lossless liquids. The reconfigurable structure could also be used as a sensor or detector. In order to assess the use as a sensor, Butan-1-ol, propan-2-ol, ethanol and methanol have been tested. The reflection coefficients and the radiation patterns were measured. Simulations were carried out simulated and measured results.