Sensing Array-based Dielectric Spectroscopy

Abstract

Dielectric spectroscopy, a non-contact electromagnetic readout technique, offers significant potential in Organ-on-Chip devices for accelerating drug development by enabling non-invasive, multi-layer sensing of tissue barrier integrity. While open-ended coaxial probes are well-established for dielectric spectroscopy in high-loss biological samples, their inherent lack of biocompatibility and impracticality in conventional setups limits their application. This work investigates novel fabrication approaches using printed circuit boards (PCBs) and glass manufacturing techniques to overcome these challenges. A planarized OECP fabricated on a PCB with via-array shielded coplanar waveguides was developed and evaluated. The PCB-based design demonstrated satisfactory electromagnetic performance, biocompatibility potential, and cost-effectiveness, making it a promising candidate for integration into well-plate formats. Additionally, laser-induced deep etching (LIDE) was explored for creating high-precision glass substrates with metalized vias, presenting an alternative route for scalable sensor fabrication. Together, these advancements lay the foundation for adaptable and scalable dielectric spectroscopy platforms suitable for Organ-on-Chip applications, merging performance with practicality in biological settings.