Antennas and Electromagnetics Instrumentation for Research and Education
Abstract
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act for 2014 allocated $10.7M to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) and to enhance their research and education capabilities in scientific areas relevant to the defense mission. The FY 2014 program supports the acquisition of research equipment and instrumentation to augment existing capabilities and to develop new capabilities that will facilitate greater participation in DoD research programs and encourage more students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The technical objective is to explore new concepts for configurable, multifunctional antenna structures and antenna structures for incorporation in soldier clothing and soldier systems. This proposal from Principal Investigator, Dr. Stavros Georgakopoulos, requests support for the acquisition of instrumentation to create a state-of-the art ElectroMagnetics Lab (EMLab). The proposed instrumentation will enhance: (a) Dr. GeorgakopoulosÕ funded research on Reconfigurable Origami EM Systems (co-funded by DoD and NSF; contract number 1332348) and on Highly Efficient Wireless Powering for Autonomous Structural Health Monitoring and Test/Evaluation Systems (funded by DoD; contract number W911NF-13-1-0149), (b) other research on advanced electromagnetic technologies that support the mission of ARO and DoD, (c) undergraduate and graduate education on antennas and electromagnetics, and (d) training of students as well as industry, military and DoD personnel on antennas and electromagnetics. The broader impact of the proposed instrumentation involves the creation of a state-of-the art EMLab in Florida that will serve as a technical hub attracting new academic and industry collaborators, fostering new opportunities for cross-disciplinary and multi-institutional research, and supporting the growth of a strong and diverse U.S. workforce. The proposed instrumentation comprises: (a) a StarLab antenna measurement system, (b) a Dimatix DMP 2831 materials printer for inkjet printing of novel antennas and RF circuits on substrates, and (c) a 10 MHz to 50 GHz Agilent PNA network analyzer. The following specific aims will be pursued: Aim #1 Acquire, install and integrate the proposed instrumentation in the current EMLab at FIU Aim #2 Utilize the instrumentation to support and enhance Dr. GeorgakopoulosÕ funded research by DoD and other research on advanced electromagnetic technologies that support the needs of ARO and DoD Aim #3 Integrate the instrumentation with the education and training of undergraduate and graduate students; Aim #4 Create hands-on training programs for DoD, military and industry personnel on advanced EM and RF instrumentation and simulation Aim #5 Stimulate new cross-disciplinary collaborations across FIU, DoD, academia, and industry, and Aim #6 Outreach to local high-school teachers and students and engage them in the use of the proposed instrumentation. This instrumentation will significantly enhance FIUÕs research capabilities on novel EM components, RF circuits and systems that will transform the fields of communications, energy autonomy and sensing. Our currently funded research by DoD on origami antennas and wireless power transfer addresses important needs of ARO for next generation EM systems that exhibit unique capabilities, such as, miniaturization, deployability, reconfiguration, tunability, and multi-functionality. This research will lead to the development of EM systems that will increase the agility and mobility of soldiers in the battlefield by reducing the weight and footprint of EM systems that must be carried by soldiers (e.g., antennas). The proposed instrumentation will also have a significant impact on the education and research training of FIUÕs undergraduate and graduate students.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510060
Entities
People
- Stavros V. Georgakopoulos
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Florida International University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense