Mohammad H. Zarifi

Mohammad H. Zarifi (P.Eng., IEEE Senior Member) received his Ph.D. from the University of Tabriz in Iran for his research in high-speed and low-power analog integrated circuit design, analog-to-digital converters for biomedical and communication applications. Following completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Zarifi undertook a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta investigating microwave planar resonator structures and Microelectro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) for sensing applications. He is the 2015 recipient of the CMC-NRC first place award, on industrial collaboration, for the innovative microwave sensors. In 2017, Dr. Zarifi joined the School of Engineering at The University of British Columbia, where he is currently an Associate Professor. He has authored or coauthored over 150 technical conference, letter, journal articles, and book chapters. Dr. Zarifi’s research interests include microwave sensors, antenna sensors, nanomaterials assisted microwave devices, high-frequency integrated circuits and systems, and wearable electronics. 

Dr. Zarifi is a member of IEEE MTT-S TC- 26 “RFID, Wireless Sensor and IoT” and a senior member of the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society, and the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society, and serves as a reviewer for several journals and conferences. 

The continuous progression of technological innovations, coupled with breakthroughs in material processing methodologies, has propelled the evolution of sophisticated sensor systems, thereby broadening their applicability across an array of diverse sectors. Meanwhile, the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has particularly been a key driver in market growth. Sensors, as fundamental components in IoT devices, are seeing increased demand as the IoT market expands. This is expected to continue, with predictions of billions of connected devices worldwide within the next few years. 

RF/Microwave/mmWave sensors, characterized by their non-contact, real-time, label-free, and robust operation, distinguish themselves among a variety of sensor alternatives, presenting significant potential across a wide range of sensing applications. This potential is predominantly attributable to their inherent advantages, which include a relatively uncomplicated fabrication process and seamless compatibility with Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Such emerging sensors hold the promise of offering integrated portable sensing platforms with both wired and wireless communication interfaces, catering to real-time monitoring and analysis purposes.

This talk primarily focuses on the integration of cutting-edge nanomaterials and polymers into planar microwave structures, a strategy that promises considerable advancements in sensor technology. These materials, characterized by their unique properties, have the potential to significantly enhance the sensitivity, selectivity, and resolution of microwave sensors. Such enhancements enable these sensors to effectively function within the high-frequency, high-bandwidth landscape of emerging 5G and 6G applications.