CNT-BASED FULLY PRINTED, FLEXIBLE, SMALL-SCALE, AND HIGHLY ROBUST ANTENNA FOR HIGH FREQUENCY, ULTRA-WIDEBAND, GHZ RF APPLICATIONS ACROSS SURFACES OF WIDELY VARYING TOPOLOGIES
Abstract
Developing 3D-printed, small-scale antennae structures capable of showing excellent performance and properties in GHz frequency ranges has attracted significant attention for the potential applications of such antennae in widely varying disciplines ranging from wearable electronics to broadband military devices. In this proposal, we aim to develop CNT (Carbon Nanotube) ink-based 3D printed two-dimensional planar antenna structures that are small scale, demonstrate excellent performance in GHZ frequency ranges, and are highly robust (i.e., capable of long-term use). For this purpose, motivated by our prior experiments where CNT-based printed patch antennae showed excellent bandwidth, we shall develop a CNT-GO-based (GO: Graphene Oxide) ink, where the GO flakes have been made conducting by functionalizing them with p-phenylene diamine (PPD). The flaky nature of the GO-particles will ensure a uniform deposition during the 3D printing of the planar antenna structures, which in turn will enable excellent robustness of the printed antenna structures; at the same time, the presence of the PPD functionalization will ensure that the presence of the GO does not significantly reduce the antenna conductivity. The properties of this new ink (e.g., rheology, printability, conductivity of traces printed with this ink, etc.) will be next tested. Subsequently, using this ink, different types of planar (two-dimensional) antenna structures will be fabricated and their various properties (reflection coefficient, E- and H-plane radiation patterns, antenna gain, efficiency, and directivity) will be quantifies. Separate HFSS (High Frequency Structure Simulation) will be conducted to identify the combination of parameters (e.g., antenna dimensions, number of printed layers, antenna pattern thickness, and various material combinations) for which the antenna structures demonstrate the most efficient with high-frequency performance with least possible dimensions. These design input will be utilized to fabricate these specific antenna structures and measure their performances. Finally, these fabricated antenna structures will be subjected to reliability analysis and their performances will be tested after being subjected to different types of accelerated environmental stresses. Overall, this proposal will enable fabrication of highly-efficient and robust GHz antenna structures with large bandwidths, yet very small dimensions. Such structures will be of tremendous benefits for developing printed broadband electronic infrastructure, capable of replacing and improving the use of conventional broadband electronics on Navy and Marine Corps.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 2024
- Source ID
- N004212410002
Entities
People
- Siddhartha Das
Organizations
- United States Navy
- University of Maryland