Detection of sub-microliter liquid droplets using a metamaterial mesh sensor

Metamaterial meshes are artificial thin metal film structures with a periodic arrangement of holes. Here we describe the development of metamaterial meshes for applications as sensors, using high-accuracy and low-cost fabrication methods to enable disposable devices. Small liquid droplets from dispensers were used to characterize the devices. The results demonstrate that detection of sub-microliter liquid specimens is possible. The process was considerably simpler than conventional techniques, such as staining or mass balance measurements. Our results show that these metamaterial meshes have potential applications as sensors, in particular for rapid tests and calibration of multi-channel dispensers.