Abstract Microwave and Radio Frequency devices have demonstrated significant potential in non-destructive, non-ionizing, contactless, and wireless sensing applications. Among various structures, the ones with planar form factor are more attractive due to their conformal, inexpensive, and straightforward fabrication process. These microwave/RF sensors operate based on the perturbation of the electromagnetic (EM) field and the interaction of the EM field with materials in their close vicinity. Conventionally, these microwave/RF sensors have been fabricated using metal traces and microstrip lines which gives good microwave response and behavior for those sensors monitoring dielectric properties of solid and liquid materials. However, microwave/RF sensor applications were limited in exposure to gas molecules due to their negligible sensitivities to gas molecules. To address this challenge, secondary materials such as polymers, nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and titanium nanotubes, and recently titanium carbide (MXene) were introduced to act as an interface layer to enable gas sensing and even light sensing directly at microwave frequencies. This lecture will mainly focus on different planar microwave/RFID-based structures and their interactions with nanomaterials such as TiO2 nanotubes, mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and MXene in exposure to gas molecules and water vapors. Moreover, conductive polymers such as PEDOT:PSS will be discussed in microwave structures as an alternative to metals in microstrip lines to eliminate the use of extra interface materials for monitoring gases. In addition, the potential of 3D printing and other additive manufacturing techniques will be discussed in the nanomaterials concept to empower the microwave/RFID-based sensors. Co-sponsored by: Wayne Shiroma Speaker(s): Dr. Zarifi Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/481486

Professional Image Seminar - 20 min Headshots and Networking - 40 min 733 Bishop Street, Suite 2000, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/478612

Open-source tools for energy system modeling have gained significant attention to support transparent policy and technical decision-making. However, many of these tools lack fine-grained data or a sufficiently broad regional scope, limiting effective collaboration, adoption, and long-term support. In response, the PyPSA meets Earth initiative was established to bridge these gaps by promoting open, independent research, knowledge sharing, and transparent planning in energy modeling. PyPSA meets Earth maintains tools such as PyPSA-Earth and PyPSA-Distribution, which facilitate sector-coupled energy modeling for any region worldwide. This talk will introduce the initiative’s vision, showcase current tools and applications, and outline opportunities for interested individuals and organizations to join and contribute. Speaker: Davide Fioriti is Assistant Professor at the University of Pisa and co-director of the PyPSAmeetsEarth initiative. He received the Ph.D. in Pisa in 2019 with a thesis on planning and operation methods for rural electrification by mini-grids, in which he developed his skills in mathematical optimization and microgrids. Thereafter, he expanded his interests into multi-energy systems. In 2021, he joined the PyPSAmeetsEarth initiative, initially focusing on Africa, where is has been an active contributor and facilitator of the various workstreams. He has collaborated with several private and public companies (4+) and public entities (10+) in several funded projects. In 2018 he was visiting scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/480958