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Resonance Sensors: Technology, Measurements and Applications across the Frequency Operating Range

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2026 | Viewed by 4143

Special Issue Editors


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Department of Engineering, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
Interests: sensor development and characterization; sensor- based measurement systems; microwave characterization; biomedical sensors; gas sensor for health care and environmental monitoring
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BIOMORF Department, University of Messina, 98158 Messina, Italy
Interests: microwave electronics; characterization and modeling of microwave transistors for wireless applications; microwave sensors for bioengineering applications
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National Research Council, CNR-IPCF-Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, 98158 Messina, Italy
Interests: morphological–structural characterization and analysis of the sensing properties of nanostructured materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The resonance-based transduction mechanism is extensively exploited for numerous applications, among which the development of sensors is of great interest. The resulting devices are capable of sensing a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from low frequencies to terahertz, through the use of advanced technologies, which span from quartz crystal microbalances to microwave resonators and from microelectromechanical systems to fiber Bragg gratings.

The aim of this Special Issue is to publish high-quality research papers, as well as review articles, on the latest advances on all aspects related to resonance-based sensors, including the design, fabrication, characterization, and modelling of resonant sensors and their various applications (e.g., remote sensing and structural monitoring, agriculture and environmental monitoring, healthcare and medical applications, and industrial and automotive applications). We look forward to your participation in this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Nicola Donato
Dr. Giovanni Gugliandolo
Prof. Dr. Giovanni Crupi
Dr. Mariangela Catena Latino
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • resonance
  • resonant sensors
  • the design, fabrication, characterization, and modelling of resonant sensors
  • sensor materials
  • metrology
  • microwave frequencies
  • microfluidics
  • remote sensing and structural monitoring
  • agriculture and environmental monitoring
  • healthcare and medical applications
  • industrial and automotive applications
  • interdisciplinary engineering

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 12347 KB  
Article
Through-Hole Spiral Microstrip Resonator for Inline Dielectric Characterization of Liquids
by Laura Arruzzoli, Giovanni Gugliandolo, Ester Zirilli, Mariangela Latino, Alessandro Pistone, Giovanni Crupi and Nicola Donato
Sensors 2026, 26(5), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26051544 - 1 Mar 2026
Viewed by 437
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 [...] Read more.
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. Full article
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17 pages, 4482 KB  
Article
Propagation of Upward and Downward Interface Acoustic Waves in Fused Silica/ZnO/SU-8/Fused Silica-Based Structures
by Cinzia Caliendo, Massimiliano Benetti, Domenico Cannatà and Farouk Laidoudi
Sensors 2026, 26(1), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26010139 - 25 Dec 2025
Viewed by 525
Abstract
The propagation of interfacial acoustic waves (IAWs) along a SiO2/ZnO/SU-8/SiO2 multilayer structure is theoretically predicted and experimentally validated. A two-dimensional finite-element analysis was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics, revealing that key IAW characteristics—such as the number of supported modes, propagation losses, [...] Read more.
The propagation of interfacial acoustic waves (IAWs) along a SiO2/ZnO/SU-8/SiO2 multilayer structure is theoretically predicted and experimentally validated. A two-dimensional finite-element analysis was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics, revealing that key IAW characteristics—such as the number of supported modes, propagation losses, and acoustic field distribution—are strongly influenced by the thickness of the intermediate SU-8 adhesive layer. In particular, the presence of the SU-8 layer enables the existence of IAW modes with opposite localization, namely upward- and downward-propagating IAWs. To validate the theoretical predictions, experimental measurements were carried out on delay lines fabricated on SiO2/ZnO/SU-8/SiO2 layered structures, revealing the propagation of three distinct IAW modes. The first two modes correspond to the downward and upward fundamental IAWs, while the third mode is a second-order mode identifiable as a downward leaky IAW (LIAW). The experimental results show excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions and establish a solid foundation for the future development of multifrequency IAW-based devices, including package-less acoustic components, microfluidic platforms, and gas and optical sensors designed for operation under harsh environmental conditions. Full article
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10 pages, 3742 KB  
Article
Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Fe2O3/Au for Alcohol Concentration Detection
by Junyi Wang, Yanpei Xu, Yutong Song and Qi Wang
Sensors 2024, 24(14), 4477; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24144477 - 11 Jul 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2250
Abstract
Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is widely used in sensor sensitization due to its excellent optical properties. In this study, we present a sensitivity-enhanced surface plasmon resonance alcohol sensor based on Fe2O3/Au. We describe the fabrication [...] Read more.
Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is widely used in sensor sensitization due to its excellent optical properties. In this study, we present a sensitivity-enhanced surface plasmon resonance alcohol sensor based on Fe2O3/Au. We describe the fabrication process of the sensor and characterize its structure. We conduct performance testing on sensors coated multiple times and use solutions with the same gradient of refractive indices as the sensing medium. Within the refractive index range of 1.3335–1.3635, the sensor that was coated twice achieved the highest sensitivity, reaching 2933.2 nm/RIU. This represents a 30.26% enhancement in sensitivity compared to a sensor with a pure gold monolayer film structure. Additionally, we demonstrated the application of this sensor in alcohol concentration detection by testing the alcohol content of common beverages, showing excellent agreement with theoretical values and highlighting the sensor’s potential in food testing. Full article
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