Detection of biological targets by using porous polymer and metamaterial mesh sensors

Rapid and easy detection of biological sample such as bacteria was performed by combining a metamaterial mesh sensor (metal film with periodic holes) with porous polymer layer to extract target efficiently. The porous polymer enables to extract target physically as filter, and to immobilize biological molecules such as antibody sufficiently. In this report, Escherichia coli (E. coli) deposited on PTFE filter was detected experimentally. Frequency shifts of transmission peaks at about 9.4 THz showed clear correlation with number of the bacteria, and sensitivity reached to 1.5×105 /mm² (150 ng/mm² of weight). It was also succeeded to fix porous polymer layer to the metal structure directly, which expects the sensor to be operated more easily.