Numerical Design of a THz Metamaterial Biosensor for Early Skin and Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Qureshi, S.A., Abidin, Z.Z., Shairi, N.A., Majid, H.A., Yu, H., Ghazali, N.B.
Journal: International Journal of Integrated Engineering
Publication Date: 15/04/2026
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Pages: 142-154
ISSN: 2229-838X
DOI: 10.30880/ijie.2026.18.01.011
Abstract:This paper presents a high-sensitivity terahertz (THz) metamaterial absorber engineered for early-stage detection of skin and breast cancers using a full-wave simulation approach. The proposed sensor employs a hybrid square-ring geometry, achieving a base absorption rate of 51% in the unloaded state. Upon dielectric loading with biological samples, the absorption rate significantly increases up to 99% for melanoma tissue and 98% for normal breast tissue. Dielectric properties of biological samples were modelled using the Double Debye model, enabling realistic simulation of tissue-specific spectral responses. The sensor exhibits measurable resonance frequency shifts up to 48 GHz between normal and malignant samples with peak sensitivity values of 5.2 GHz/μm for melanoma, 3.7 GHz/μm for basal cell carcinoma, and 1.7 GHz/μm for breast cancer. These shifts show a linear dependence on sample thickness, highlighting the potential for severity assessment. The findings establish a simulation-based foundation for non-invasive, label-free THz diagnostic systems with promising prospects for future clinical transformations.
Source: Scopus