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Tom J. Zajdel

Publications and source records attributed to Tom J. Zajdel.

2 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Leveraging Inexpensive Lab Tools for Hands-on RF Systems Course

As wireless technologies continue to develop and reshape our world, teaching students the fundamental building blocks of RF engineering is paramount. Relatively inexpensive lab equipment now makes teaching concepts such as the Internet-of-Things, beam steering, and MIMO accessible. A new course for students in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University aims to utilize affordable hardware to teach core concepts in RF systems design. This is accomplished through six laboratory exercises, culminating in a live demonstration of RF beam steering technology for students. The course can be run for less than $9,000 in one-time costs and is well-received by students as evidenced by survey data, with lab resources available in an open repository.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2026

Integrated Circuit Architecture for Real-Time Sensing with Embedded Microbial Whole-Cell Sensors

Bacteria sense a diverse range of environmental analytes with high sensitivity and temporal resolution. Engineering and synthetic biology approaches enabled harnessing this capability through development of whole-cell biosensors that respond to specific molecules of interest. However, converting these responses into electrical signals in real time, across different environmental conditions, in miniaturized, field-deployable microelectronic devices, remains challenging. Here we present a bioelectronic platform that directly couples engineered bacteria to an integrated circuit (IC) chip through custom on-chip microelectrodes, enabling real-time, electronic readout of analyte sensing through bacterial flagellar motor dynamics. Using non-Faradaic electrochemical impedance measurements the device resolves both the direction and speed of motor rotation with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 15 dB. The IC is further integrated with a microfluidic system that enables controlled delivery and removal of analytes, nutrients and bacteria. When combined with whole-cell biosensors engineered to detect specific analytes, this work provides a miniature, portable platform for continuous monitoring in a range of liquid environments.

physics.app-ph↗