# Through-Hole Spiral Microstrip Resonator for Inline Dielectric Characterization of Liquids

## TL;DR

A new sensor design enables contactless measurement of liquid properties using a spiral microstrip resonator, showing accurate and linear responses to ethanol concentration.

## Contribution

A novel through-hole spiral microstrip resonator is introduced for inline dielectric characterization of liquids with high sensitivity and linearity.

## Key findings

- The sensor demonstrated a monotonic and nearly linear response to ethanol concentration in water–ethanol mixtures.
- Frequency sensitivities of approximately 20 kHz/% were achieved with high coefficients of determination (R²=0.99).
- The device's performance was validated using scattering parameter measurements and physical characterization techniques.

## Abstract

This study addresses the inline dielectric characterization of liquids using a prototype planar resonant sensor with two capacitively coupled spirals, fabricated by inkjet printing on a Rogers RO4003C substrate. The device includes a central hole designed to host a sample vial or a pipe, enabling contactless characterization of liquid solutions, including biological samples. Experimental validation includes stylus profilometry and optical microscopy to verify the thickness, uniformity, and continuity of the conductive film, as well as scattering parameter measurements in the frequency range from 3.5 GHz to 4.0 GHz. The frequency response exhibits two distinct resonances; the corresponding resonance parameters for each mode (resonant frequency fr, amplitude, and quality factor Q) were extracted through complex-domain fitting using Lorentzian profiles. The electrical characterization of the device was assessed as a function of the effective permittivity of water–ethanol test mixtures by varying the ethanol volume fraction. The proposed sensor showed a monotonic and nearly linear response to ethanol concentration, with frequency sensitivities of approximately 20 kHz/% and coefficients of determination up to R2=0.99.