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Researchers Create 'Spray-On' 2D Antennas (phys.org)

Posted by BeauHD on from the cease-and-desist dept.

In a study published in Science Advances, researchers in Drexel's College of Engineering describe a method for spraying invisibly thin antennas, made from a type of two-dimensional, metallic material called MXene, that perform as well as those being used in mobile devices, wireless routers and portable transducers. Phys.Org reports: The researchers, from the College's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, report that the MXene titanium carbide can be dissolved in water to create an ink or paint. The exceptional conductivity of the material enables it to transmit and direct radio waves, even when it's applied in a very thin coating. Preserving transmission quality in a form this thin is significant because it would allow antennas to easily be embedded -- literally, sprayed on -- in a wide variety of objects and surfaces without adding additional weight or circuitry or requiring a certain level of rigidity.

Initial testing of the sprayed antennas suggest that they can perform with the same range of quality as current antennas, which are made from familiar metals, like gold, silver, copper and aluminum, but are much thicker than MXene antennas. Making antennas smaller and lighter has long been a goal of materials scientists and electrical engineers, so this discovery is a sizable step forward both in terms of reducing their footprint as well as broadening their application.

7 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. You scratched it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    You scratched my antenna! How am I supposed to look at cat photos now?

    1. Re:You scratched it! by PopeRatzzo · · Score: 2
      Worse yet, a "2D antenna" is going to have "2 problems" which make it impractical:

      • 1. The material is not a perfect conductor. As such, putting, oh, I don't know, a nanowatt (just making up numbers) will melt the antenna.
        2. The material is not a perfect conductor. Lossy materials cause lower gain on the receive end.

      Food for thought. Yes, I read the article.

  2. Thinner, but not smaller by Ozoner · · Score: 2

    This might make thinner antennas, but they won't be any smaller.

    They will still need a plastic support structure, will still need to be the same physical wavelength, and will still need to be mounted away from other metal.

    Sadly, it won't change the laws of physics.

    1. Re:Thinner, but not smaller by SeaFox · · Score: 2

      They will still need a plastic support structure, will still need to be the same physical wavelength, and will still need to be mounted away from other metal.

      Imagine painting an antenna onto the support structure for the roof of a building, and then overlaying non-metallic roofing material on top of it, or painting over it on the inside.

    2. Re:Thinner, but not smaller by beheaderaswp · · Score: 4, Interesting

      This might make thinner antennas, but they won't be any smaller.

      They will still need a plastic support structure, will still need to be the same physical wavelength, and will still need to be mounted away from other metal.

      Sadly, it won't change the laws of physics.

      You got that right.... Though electrical length can be fudged using Mandelbrot forms. Though it's still not the most efficient antenna.

      Most antennas in cell phones are considered "efficient dummy loads". Ever since they went internal there are all kinds of polarization/gain issues. At least with the old semi-vertically polarized antennas you didn't drop 20db of gain by turning your head.

      And you are right... spray paint an antenna onto a piece of metal... and the metal will couple distorting the radiation pattern.

      The whole technology is rife with pitfalls. But some MBA will try and make it work leading to more crappy products...

      --
      Another consultant who stuck it out.

      "We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx..."
  3. Ringworld Throne by DougDot · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This spray-on antenna technology first appeared in Larry Niven's Ringworld Throne, published in 1996.

  4. A link that works by Procrasti · · Score: 2

    http://theconversation.com/spray-on-antennas-unlock-communication-of-the-future-103637