Alessandro Fanti

Evaluation of a microwave resonant cavity as a reactor for enzyme reactions

We present here the design and analysis of a microwave resonant cavity to evaluate the effect of RF electromagnetic field on enzyme reactions. The cavity has been first designed using CST Microwave Studio. Then, its behaviour in the actual use has been evaluated using the COMSOL multiphysics. The presented results show that such cavity can be quite effective.

Microwave resonant cavity as a reactor for the enzymatic hydrolysis of sucrose

We present here the design and analysis of a microwave resonant cavity to evaluate the effect of RF electromagnetic field on enzyme reactions. The cavity has been first designed using CST. Then, its behaviour in the actual use has been evaluated using the COMSOL multiphysics.

Ridge waveguide optimization with PSO algorithm

A technique of automatic optimization for guiding structures at microwave range is presented. Geometrical parameters have been optimized taking into account conflicting requirements (high bandwidth, high power handling capability and low attenuation constant) with PSO algorithm. Propagation performances are computed with a FDFD technique.

Finite differences single grid evaluation of TE and TM modes in metallic waveguides

Finite difference computation of waveguide modes requires two different grids, one for TE and for TM modes. We propose and assess here use of a single grid. Thi is useful, e.g., in the mode matching solution of junction problems.

High Order FDFD computation of all waveguide modes using a single grid

We describe here a High Order Finite Difference Frequency Domain approach to the cut-off frequency and mode computation in rectangular and circular waveguide with use of a single grid for both TE and TM modes. The proposed technique has been assessed against a commercial FEM-based general-purpose EM solver.

Design of Multilayer Dielectric Cover to Enhance Gain and Efficiency of Slot Arrays

An effective design procedure, based on the Elliot synthesis method, is proposed to investigate the properties of waveguide slot arrays with multilayer dielectric cover. Then, the features of the designed arrays are analyzed by means of a FEM commercial software, namely, Ansys HFSS 13. We show how a proper choice of the dielectric cover configuration allows increasing the array gain and aperture efficiency, while taking advantage of the properties of the radome structure, in terms of insulation, protection, and pressurization of the radiating waveguides. Therefore, a significant outcome of the optimal choice of the multilayer dielectric cover is the reduction of the number of slots with respect to an array radiating into free space with the same gain and efficiency, with a consequent reduction of the production cost.

Computation of the Modes of Elliptic Waveguides with a Curvilinear 2D Frequency-Domain Finite-Difference Approach

A scalar Frequency-Domain Finite-Difierence approach to the mode computation of elliptic waveguides is presented. The use of an elliptic cylindrical grid allows us to take exactly into account the curved boundary of the structure and a single mesh has been used both for TE and TM modes. As a consequence, a high accuracy is obtained with a reduced computational burden, since the resulting matrix is highly sparse.

Measurements on the reflectivity of materials in a Reverberating Chamber

The experimental validation is an important step in any measurement procedures development. In this paper, according to the absorber method, a meaningful set of experimental results for the evaluation of the reflectivity of materials in a Reverberating Chamber (RC) is shown in order to validate the attendant measurement procedure. Measurements on a frequency range between 1 to 18 GHz have been successfully accomplished on four different shields of metallic mesh grid shape. Further, enhancements to increase the measurement dynamic have been also discussed. Results show that the procedure is able to simply evaluate metallic mesh grid reflectivity that can be used in designing shields to be incorporate into the wall structure of buildings for realizing the desired electromagnetic isolation of real-life environments.

Microwaves disinfection of farmland

Abstract This work focuses on the heat transfer dynamics in agricultural soils when exposed to microwave fields, in order to disinfect them and to eliminate dangerous organisms without using pesticides. The work manages with the use of a horn antenna to irradiate the superficial layer of soils and so to eliminate harmful bio-agents within a fixed depth. The soil was approximated using a transmission line model. Considering the dielectric constant of the ground as a function of the soil water content, it was possible to evaluate the power absorbed by the irradiated ground and the temperature increase and its profile depending on the irradiation time. Since the latter information is strictly connected to the heat transfer process occurring in the system, we demonstrated the feasibility of the methodology here proposed to achieve difficult conditions for microbial and pathogens life, leading to an effective disinfection of the treated farmland.

A polycarbonate RFID tag for blood chain tracking

In this paper we describe the design of a RFID tag in the UHF band, to be applied to the bags for the collection and transport of blood. RFID use allows to track the chain of transfusion blood from selection until the seals transfusion , thus helping to improve patient safety.