At the University of Hartford’s Multiscale Metamaterial Research Laboratory, Professor Brian Wells, PhD, and a team of students developed a groundbreaking sensor that uses a unique metasurface reflector to measure the refractive of materials. Designed to reduce cost and material requirements significantly, this sensor represents a transformative approach to material characterization, particularly for high-precision sensing applications.
Brian Wells shares that he is particularly proud of the critical role University of Hartford students played in this project's design and testing phases. Students Andrew Rittenberg and Nicholas Krupa, who co-authored the recent paper, “Application of Single-Frequency Arbitrarily Directed Split Beam Metasurface Reflector in Refractive Index Measurements,” were instrumental in conducting experimental verifications and constructing the sensor using advanced techniques like PCB milling and 3D printing. Their contributions extended to validating the sensor’s performance through finite element simulations, a skill they developed through hands-on research in our lab. Seeing them gain first-hand experience with cutting-edge technology has been rewarding, as their work advances sensor technology and provides invaluable real-world engineering and research skills.
The sensor the team developed operates at a single frequency to measure beam deflection caused by the refractive index of materials placed between metasurface layers. This innovative approach achieves impressive accuracy with only minimal material requirements, offering a powerful alternative to traditional refractive index sensors, which are often prohibitively expensive and require large sample sizes.
This research was made possible with support from the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, which encourages student involvement in aerospace and related research fields. The study has been published in the journal Sensors, showcasing both the innovative technology we developed and the valuable contributions made by students.
For additional information, please feel free to contact Brian Wells at brwells@86899805.com or 860.768.4318.