Measurement of low-loss aqueous solutions permittivity with high detection accuracy by a contact and free-label resonance microwave sensor

In this paper, a microwave sensor is designed and built to measure the permittivity of aqueous solutions. The samples used in this experiment are different purities of ethanol mixed with water. Ethanol solution with different purities is a widely used material in industry. Structures of meander, ladder, and T-structure were used to design the sensor. Then the designed sensor is simulated in CST software in range of relative dielectric from 10 to 80. After obtaining the desired answer in the simulation, the proposed sensor is built on the Rogers 4003 substrate, the built-in sensor measured ethanol solution with a purity of 5% to 35% (equivalent to permittivity of 76 to 58), and is showed a sensitivity of 4% and a Q-factor of 3500. The results of simulation and measurement are consistent with each other, and they indicated that the proposed sensor beyond the fluids can be supported and determine their relative dielectrics.