Development of a Magnetically Enhanced Quartz Crystal Microbalance

Research pertaining to immunosensors has often been driven by, and limited to, the analyte detection limit of the system in use. Recently, a great deal of attention has been paid to piezoelectric sensing devices, more specifically: quartz crystal microbalances (QCM). In an attempt to push the detection limit of these devices, a race to find novel methods for enhancing the resonator output has transpired. This study explores the feasibility and implementation of a technique in which the QCM output sensitivity, when subjected to magnetic micro or nanoparticles while in the presence of a magnetic field, is increased. The combination of a mathematical model and a computer simulation were used to forecast the experimental result. A QCM housing design was then discussed, modeled, and fabricated. Lastly, two studies were performed in order to prove that a QCM response can be amplified by the technique described in this work.

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Degree

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Liebherr, Robert C.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Zhu, Xiaoshan

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Publicover, Nelson
• Shen, Yantao
• Lin, Hongfei

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright(All Rights Reserved)

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11714/3958

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarwolf.unr.edu:11714/3958