SOFTWARE DEFINED MATERIALS FOR DYNAMIC CONTROL OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES (ANIMATE)

Lead Research Organisation: Queen Mary University of London
Department Name: Sch of Electronic Eng & Computer Science

Abstract

Inspired by recent scientific breakthroughs in the area of transformation optics (TO) and metamaterials, QMUL in collaboration with its partners and UK industries have demonstrated several novel antenna solutions which potentially offer new composite flat lens antenna, surface wave and metasurface devices that could be embedded into the skin of vehicles without compromising aerodynamic performance, representing a major leap forward for future technologies related to the Internet of Things (IoT), CubeSat and Space Communications. The potential of the underlying design approaches have much wider applicability in arguably all technical challenges as addressed above. For example, we extended the TO technique to design novel beam steerable antennas . Instead of moving or tilting the feed/reflctor, we employ an alternative way to manipulate the reflected emission by varying the permittivity of dielectrics derived from TO. This method has the merits of maintaining a flat profile, being capable of beam-steering and frequeny agility. Combining with appropriate feed designs, the system can be effectively be used as either a single radiator or an array fulfilling massive MIMO functions. In a broad sense, dielectric substrates with spatially varying permittivity and/or permeability can be regarded as a "magic black box", whose properties are programmable according to required functional requirements. In the proposed ANIMATE project, we refer to this magic black box as "software defined materials", since they demonstrate far-reaching capabilities well beyond conventional antennas and arguably in all devices and systems that exploit electromagnetic spectra.

To enable this step change, a suite of novel advanced materials must be studied and developed, especially, active materials and structures with low loss, high tunability but low DC power dissipation are desirable. In addition, a robust biasing network is needed so that material building blocks can be individually controlled. In spite of the longstanding quest and intensive research over the years, this subject area still remains insufficiently explored. With ongoing advances in modelling and manufacturing tools, it is now possible to revisit some fundamental limits imposed on conventional materials and antenna designs. The vision of ANIMATE is therefore to unlock contributions and expertise from multiple disciplines, to develop a core programme of research on software defined materials, which will enable dynamic control of electromagnetic waves for applications in sensing, communications and computation.

The ultimate objective of ANIMATE is to remove the traditional boundary between the designs of antennas and RF/microwave electronics as well as materials and devices, so that a generic material platform can be developed that is programmable and flexible for multifunctional applications integrating communication, sensing and computation. Specifically, in this project, we will:

1. Establish a holistic approach of software-defined materials for communication, sensing and computation, by building novel integrated and adaptive antenna technologies.
2. Integrate wireless sensor networks into the design of computer interface and control units for tunable materials to demonstrate and validate the wholly new concept of "networked materials" at subwavelength scales.
3. Exploit challenging applications of proposed antenna and material technologies with our core industrial partners at all stages of development: prototyping, manufacturing, toolbox validation, platform integration and testing.
4. Research novel active and tunable materials and investigate fundamental limits of relevant materials to industrial challenges.
5. Develop simulation tools that span from materials, device and process modeling with intricate complexities that open up the design domain significantly and enable the production of optimal structures with improved performance.

Planned Impact

ANIMATE will be the catalyst around which our industrial partners can ensure UK industry maintains its leading position in the marketplace and capitalises on the industrial strategy initiative, facilitating retention and growth of highly skilled jobs and supporting the UK's knowledge economy. Our strategic partnership with QinetiQ (QQ) will enable the design, development and integration of novel electromagnetic devices and structures and reshape the future of the UK manufacturing and electronics industry. Combining world-leading researchers with unique facilities to provide technical assurance, test and evaluation and training services, underpinned by long-term partnerships, this project has the potential to reinforce the UK's competitiveness in the field of RF and microwave devices at both commercial and academic levels. Impact will be demonstrated by transitioning the technology into new products to create revenue across the wider UK supply chain, and QQ is committed to this exploitation through its current and future customers, who will be engaged from the inception of the programme. This is demonstrable through the establishment of the QQ Advanced Services and Products division, whose mission is to incubate novel technologies and mature to product through partnership with with UK Primes (BAE, Thales, Huawei), SMEs (Plextek, Flann Microwave, Satellite Applications Catapult) and academia.

Given its potential for new technologies, we expect there to be significant press interest, and we will work with the press offices to ensure wide dissemination. We will ensure that the technicalities are translated into an accessible format for use in media including podcasts, conferences and webpages. QMUL has a 'Communications and Outreach Committee', who coordinate talks at technical institutions, colleges and schools and in the local community. Other partners undertake similar activities in their areas. We will also publish details of the project on our web sites. QMUL has a long history of dissemination in the popular media, including newspapers and the BBC. In addition, our project partner(s) have excellent relations with bodies that can assist in the wider dissemination of information including relevant KTNs and trade associations. We will encourage the investigators to engage with the public, schools and the stakeholder by having interviews, round table discussions and exhibitions in science festivals in order to raise the status of the field in the UK and encourage the next generation of young scientists with the skills to carry forward and diversify the myriad of economic and social opportunities promised by software defined materials. We will recommend that all researchers demonstrate awareness of and commitment to the principles of Responsible Innovation. We have allocated some funding to engage with ORBIT to promote creativity and opportunities for science and innovation that are socially desirable and undertaken in the public interest.

The Research Fellows and PhD students will benefit through this highly interdisciplinary project and multi-institutional approach, both in terms of specific research skills but also in team working and project management and will be expected to play an active role in interacting with stakeholders. We will work harder to increase the talented pool of women in engineering and attract them to work with us on this exciting research.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description The vision of ANIMATE was to unlock contributions and expertise from multiple disciplines, to develop a core programme of research on software defined materials (SDMs), which will enable dynamic control of electromagnetic waves for applications in sensing, communications and computation.In the ANIMATE project, we have developed a suite of novel advanced materials, especially, active materials and structures with low loss, high tunability but low DC power dissipation. In addition, a robust biasing network have been developed so that material building blocks can be individually controlled. These findings have enabled novel antennas and high frequency devices/systems that exploit electromagnetic spectra.
Specifically, in this project, we have made significant progress in the subject areas, including:
1. Holistic Approach to Software-Defined Materials: The studies contribute to establishing a holistic approach to software-defined materials by unveiling the intricacies of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric behaviors, optimizing electromagnetic devices through advanced computational methods, and enhancing material tunability. These advances lay the groundwork for novel integrated and adaptive antenna technologies suitable for communication, sensing, and computation.
2. Integration of Wireless Sensor Networks: By delving into the properties of ferroelectric thin films and leveraging machine learning for metasurface optimization, the research fosters the integration of wireless sensor networks with computer interfaces and control units. This work substantiates the innovative concept of "networked materials," demonstrating practical applications at subwavelength scales.
3. Exploitation of Challenging Applications: Collaboration with industrial partners is underscored by the application-driven research on antenna and material technologies. From prototype development to full-scale manufacturing and integration, the studies address the real-world challenges and opportunities for deploying these technologies in industrial contexts, emphasizing practical validations and performance enhancements.
4. Investigation of Novel Materials: The exploration of new material compositions, such as tin substituted barium titanate and bismuth sodium titanate-based ceramics, alongside the study of antiferroelectric materials, directly contributes to the objective of researching novel, active, and tunable materials. These investigations not only reveal fundamental material limits but also address industrial applications' challenges, guiding future material science advancements.
5. Development of Advanced Simulation Tools: The employment of machine learning and algorithmic differentiation within computational tools for optimizing metasurface designs and predicting material properties showcases significant progress in developing sophisticated simulation tools. These tools, which cover a broad spectrum from material to device and process modeling, facilitate the design and production of structures with optimal performance, opening new avenues in the design domain.
Exploitation Route A strategic partnership with Thales, Dstl and Qinetiq has been established with cash support generated for this project. Results are taken up by industrial collaborators.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Electronics

URL https://animate-research.com
 
Description The ANIMATE project stands as a beacon of UK's innovation, boosted by the new EPSRC Prosperity Partnership funding of £2.6m and pivotal industrial alliances with Thales, Dstl, and AGC, Japan. This collaborative venture not only demonstrates our commitment to advancing the UK's leadership in technology but also highlights the seamless integration of groundbreaking research with practical applications, ensuring a robust pipeline for commercialization and industrial advancement. In a notable recognition of individual excellence within the ANIMATE team, Dr. Achintha Avin Ihalage from Queen Mary University of London was awarded the 2022 Mansel Davies Award. This accolade, which honors outstanding contributions by an early-career researcher in the field of dielectrics, was bestowed upon Dr. Ihalage for his pioneering development of deep learning methods that facilitate the discovery of new dielectric materials. This distinction not only reflects the project's cutting-edge research but also enhances its profile, attracting widespread interest and engagement from both the scientific community and the public. The project's success is further exemplified by the esteemed awards received by Professor Hao, including the Research Chair by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the EurAAP Antenna Awards. These achievements underline the exceptional research quality and leadership within the ANIMATE team, propelling the project to the forefront of electromagnetic research and development. Moreover, ANIMATE has played a crucial role in nurturing talent, with our PhD students and Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) securing positions in UK industry and academia, thereby continuing to contribute to research and innovation. This not only demonstrates the project's commitment to developing highly skilled professionals but also ensures that the UK remains at the cutting edge of technology innovation. Through strategic partnerships, prestigious recognitions, and the successful integration of our researchers into key industry and academic roles, ANIMATE is setting the stage for the UK to maintain and expand its leading position in the global marketplace. So far, more than 20 papers have been published in leading journals including Nature Communications, Advanced Science, npj computational materials and Journal of the American Chemical Society etc. One demonstrator has been built and it is potentially lead to technology transfer and commercialisation. Some of this work has been incorporated in the white paper published by Ofcom for regulating future wireless communications with reflective surfaces. The project's achievements demonstrate the tangible impact of collaborative research and innovation on the nation's economic growth, technological advancement, and the nurturing of a skilled workforce for the future.
Sector Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics
Impact Types Cultural

Economic

 
Description London Regional Defence and Security Cluster organisation
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact The LRDSC holds a number of values that are at the core of what it has been formed to achieve. We expect all members to uphold the same values: Collaboration: Encouraging collaborative working and partnerships to broaden outreach and increase efficiency Innovation: Fostering and incubating novel ideas and innovation Respect: Inclusivity of membership and opportunity to thrive for all, including the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion. Representation: Providing a sector voice and representation, helping to shape the future of D&S People: Investing in our workforce through education, training and skills development
 
Description Member of enterprise committee for the Royal Academy of Engineering
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact In particular, I have contributed to the draft of responses to the following questions: • Do you agree with our characterisations of the issues facing UK SMEs, and our potential solutions to these issues? • Are there any other themes, issues or solutions that we have missed? • Is there any work by other organisations on the topics we have included that it would be useful to cite? • Are there any issues or solutions that are candidates for removal?
 
Description Member of membership committee for the Royal Academy of Engineering
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact policy changes including EDI considerations in FREng election etc
 
Description Member of research committee for the Royal Academy of Engineering
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Definition of role and responsibilities of the IC Advisor and University Research Advisor (document to be finalised) Possible revision of the Academy mentor's role and responsibilities in line with the point above- TBC University advisor requirement about citizenship Candidate with dual citizenships - allowed, confirmed that at least one is from the permitted list of countries (Australia, Canada, the EEA, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK or the US)
URL https://raeng.org.uk/ukicpostdoc
 
Description member of ERC starting grant evaluation panel
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact The ERC Work Programme will no longer include detailed prescriptive profiles of principal investigators. In the application, the Curriculum Vitae and Track Record will be merged into one document of up to four pages. The applicant will be expected to include - apart from standard biographical information - a list of up to ten research outputs that demonstrate how they have advanced knowledge in their field, with an emphasis on more recent achievements, and a list of selected examples of significant peer recognition (for example, prizes). A short explanation of the significance of the selected outputs, the applicant's role in producing each of them, and how the applicant has demonstrated their capacity to successfully carry out the proposed project can also be included. The applicant may also include relevant information on, for example, career breaks, unusual career paths, as well as any particularly noteworthy contributions to the research community. These will not in themselves be evaluated but are important to provide context to the evaluation panels when assessing the principal investigator's research achievements and peer recognition in relation to their career stage.
URL https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/evaluation-erc-grant-proposals-what-expect-2024
 
Description (GrapheneCore2) - Graphene Flagship Core Project 2
Amount € 88,000,000 (EUR)
Funding ID 785219 
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start 03/2018 
End 03/2020
 
Description DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC MATERIAL DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FOR FUTURE WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY (DREAM)
Amount £2,579,837 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/X02542X/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2023 
End 02/2028
 
Description Dstl PhD studentship on software defined materials
Amount £120,000 (GBP)
Organisation Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2019 
End 07/2022
 
Description Frequency Agile Antennas
Amount £300,000 (GBP)
Organisation Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2019 
End 09/2022
 
Description Multi-functional sensor designs based on graphene
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Organisation Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2019 
End 09/2020
 
Description SOFTWARE DEFINED MATERIALS FOR DYNAMIC CONTROL OF ELECTROMAGENTIC WAVES (ANIMATE)
Amount £1,631,777 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/R035393/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2018 
End 08/2022
 
Description THz Antenna Fabrication and Measurement Facilities (TERRA)
Amount £1,232,783 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/S010009/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2018 
End 11/2021
 
Description Transmission Channels Measurements and Communication System Design for Future mmWave Communications (mmWave TRACCS)
Amount £491,424 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/W026732/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2022 
End 05/2026
 
Title Research lab automation being made to QMUL's antenna lab 
Description A robotic system has been developed to test antennas for millimetre wave and THz frequencies. Meanwhile, a research lab automation system has been implemented for rapid material discovery. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2024 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact A nature communication paper is currently being reviewed. 
 
Title CSD 2195523: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination 
Description Related Article: Hangfeng Zhang, A. Dominic Fortes, Henry Giddens, Theo Graves Saunders, Matteo Palma, Isaac Abrahams, Haixue Yan, Yang Hao|2022|Inorg.Chem.|61|20316|doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02726 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The dataset is useful for new tunable material discovery based on machine learning 
URL http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.25505/fiz.icsd.cc2cpmb1&sid=DataCite
 
Title CSD 2195524: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination 
Description Related Article: Hangfeng Zhang, A. Dominic Fortes, Henry Giddens, Theo Graves Saunders, Matteo Palma, Isaac Abrahams, Haixue Yan, Yang Hao|2022|Inorg.Chem.|61|20316|doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02726 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact ferroelectric materials are useful for reconfigurable and tunable antenna systems, there are still existing gaps to discovery new materials with high tunability but low loss. The dataset will be useful for scientists who are studying these materials and also those working on material discovery by machine learning 
URL http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.25505/fiz.icsd.cc2cpmc2&sid=DataCite
 
Description AGC Contract on Optical Transparent Antennas for future wireless communications 
Organisation AGC Chemicals Europe
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution 3D printed antennas have been co-developed with AGC for future communications in driverless automotives
Collaborator Contribution AGC has been providing system requirements, system integration and demonstration.
Impact A patent application is being prepared and a potential spinout will come out of this collaboration
Start Year 2020
 
Description Antenna Design Studies 
Organisation Qinetiq
Department QinetiQ (Farnborough)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution 1. Antenna A design studies and test of prototypes; 2. Antenna B-design studies and test of prototypes; 3. Device A-superscatter design studies and test of prototypes
Collaborator Contribution QinetiQ-provision of design guidelines at start of project-provision of prototypes for testing 3 months after initial design, noting requirement to optimise
Impact N/A
Start Year 2021
 
Description Luneburg lens for passive radar enhancement 
Organisation Qinetiq
Department QinetiQ (Farnborough)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The lens reflector is a sphere in shape, usually composed of concentric dielectric shells. By the proper selection of dielectric constants for each shell, radar energy incident on one of the faces of the lens is focused at a point on the rear surface of the lens. The rear conductive surface reflects radar energy back to the source. The physical characteristic of a Luneburg lens varies according to its application and the frequency at which it is required to operate. To meet a variety of weapon system requirements, QinetiQ Target Systems integrates a variety of lens types into its targets. Generally these are of 7.5 inches in diameter, but alternative sizes from 4 inches to 8.7 inches in diameter are available. QMUL has been able to use TO techniques developed from QUEST and compressed the lens into compact and flat devices, which enable seamless integration with airplane frame, such as wings.
Collaborator Contribution Qinetiq provides funding, technical specifications and fabrication facilities to support this partnership.
Impact N/A
Start Year 2022
 
Description Metasurface design for HBF antennas 
Organisation Qinetiq
Department QinetiQ (Farnborough)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution This study entails the design of a holographic beam forming antenna. Holographic antennas are a type of leaky wave antenna where the feeding surface wave interacts with the radiated plane wave resulting in diffraction at the aperture. The beam shape and direction may be controlled by varying the metasurface impedance profiles, and they have the advantage that they can be thin, relatively easy to manufacture and are easier to integrate within a system due to for example an in-plane feed. Furthermore holographic beam forming overcomes the hardware expense and complexity of a phased array beamforming. The metasurfaces are formed from conductive patches on a dielectric substrate, and a number of designs have been reported in the literature, such as for example at satcom frequencies, cognitive radios and for ultra-wideband applications relating to tracking and wireless comms.
Collaborator Contribution Qinetiq provided antenna fabrication.
Impact N/A
Start Year 2020
 
Description Ofcom and Queen Mary University of London publish white paper on reflective surfaces in wireless networks 
Organisation Ofcom
Department Office of Communications (Ofcom) - Research Department
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Ofcom has undertaken a piece of technology foresight work in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London on the potential role of reflective surfaces in future wireless communications. QMUL provided the technical support including numerical simulations of reflective surfaces.
Collaborator Contribution Ofcom has provided the technical requirement, written the final white paper.
Impact White paper has been published based on a multi-disciplinary effort, which the expertise of computational electromagnetics, wireless channel modelling and system planning is involved.
Start Year 2023
 
Description SOFTWARE DEFINED MATERIALS FOR DYNAMIC CONTROL OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES (ANIMATE) 
Organisation Qinetiq
Department QinetiQ (Farnborough)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The ultimate objective of ANIMATE is to remove the traditional boundary between the designs of antennas and RF/microwave electronics as well as materials and devices, so that a generic material platform can be developed that is programmable and flexible for multifunctional applications integrating communication, sensing and computation. Specifically, in this project, we will: 1. Establish a holistic approach of software-defined materials for communication, sensing and computation, by building novel integrated and adaptive antenna technologies. 2. Integrate wireless sensor networks into the design of computer interface and control units for tunable materials to demonstrate and validate the wholly new concept of "networked materials" at subwavelength scales. 3. Exploit challenging applications of proposed antenna and material technologies with our core industrial partners at all stages of development: prototyping, manufacturing, toolbox validation, platform integration and testing. 4. Research novel active and tunable materials and investigate fundamental limits of relevant materials to industrial challenges. 5. Develop simulation tools that span from materials, device and process modeling with intricate complexities that open up the design domain significantly and enable the production of optimal structures with improved performance.
Collaborator Contribution Our industrial partners are a vital part of our impact strategy, keeping our focus on what they need for innovative devices and systems to commercialise. We have recently established a strategic collaboration with Dr Sajad Haq (SH) and his team at QinetiQ (QQ), who have committed strong financial support and co-created the ANIMATE project. Other industrial collaborators include Thales UK, Huawei, BAE Systems, Satellite Application Catapult and UK SMEs including Flann Microwaves and Plextek, et al. We have a long history of collaborations with universities (Oxford, Sheffield, Exeter and Loughborough), some of whom (SYMETA) have provided letters of support for this application.
Impact A news release from Qinetiq can be found from https://www.qinetiq.com/News/2018/06/Queen-Mary-Collaboration As the project just started, there has been no publishable outputs and outcomes.
Start Year 2018
 
Description SOFTWARE DEFINED MATERIALS FOR DYNAMIC CONTROL OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES (ANIMATE) 
Organisation Thales Group
Department Thales UK Limited
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The ultimate objective of ANIMATE is to remove the traditional boundary between the designs of antennas and RF/microwave electronics as well as materials and devices, so that a generic material platform can be developed that is programmable and flexible for multifunctional applications integrating communication, sensing and computation. Specifically, in this project, we will: 1. Establish a holistic approach of software-defined materials for communication, sensing and computation, by building novel integrated and adaptive antenna technologies. 2. Integrate wireless sensor networks into the design of computer interface and control units for tunable materials to demonstrate and validate the wholly new concept of "networked materials" at subwavelength scales. 3. Exploit challenging applications of proposed antenna and material technologies with our core industrial partners at all stages of development: prototyping, manufacturing, toolbox validation, platform integration and testing. 4. Research novel active and tunable materials and investigate fundamental limits of relevant materials to industrial challenges. 5. Develop simulation tools that span from materials, device and process modeling with intricate complexities that open up the design domain significantly and enable the production of optimal structures with improved performance.
Collaborator Contribution Our industrial partners are a vital part of our impact strategy, keeping our focus on what they need for innovative devices and systems to commercialise. We have recently established a strategic collaboration with Dr Sajad Haq (SH) and his team at QinetiQ (QQ), who have committed strong financial support and co-created the ANIMATE project. Other industrial collaborators include Thales UK, Huawei, BAE Systems, Satellite Application Catapult and UK SMEs including Flann Microwaves and Plextek, et al. We have a long history of collaborations with universities (Oxford, Sheffield, Exeter and Loughborough), some of whom (SYMETA) have provided letters of support for this application.
Impact A news release from Qinetiq can be found from https://www.qinetiq.com/News/2018/06/Queen-Mary-Collaboration As the project just started, there has been no publishable outputs and outcomes.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Software Defined Materials for Antenna Applications 
Organisation Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution This project is aimed to develop a new paradigm for software defined materials with wireless sensor network at subwavelength scales, in industrial contexts, which can be programmable for current and evolving standards, security requirements and multiple functionalities. It arises from several industrial challenges relevant to the development of future wireless communication, radar and sensor systems, which require frequency agile, broadband and beam-steerable antenna solutions. It is related to topic areas including "materials for antennas" and "novel electromagnetic materials".
Collaborator Contribution The ultimate objective of this PhD project is to remove the traditional boundary between the designs of antennas and RF/microwave electronics as well as materials and devices, so that a generic material platform can be developed that is programmable and flexible for multifunctional applications integrating communication, sensing and computation.
Impact The project is about to start and PhD recruitment is in the process.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Spatial SpANiel Antennas (Spatial Antenna Network Intelligence) 
Organisation Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution This project supports AOTOMAT, our recent spinout company from QMUL founded by Prof. Yang Hao and Dr Henry Giddens in partnership with Queen Mary Innovation, the technology Transfer Office of QMUL. AOTOMAT uses a suite of proprietary modelling and design tools to develop new electromagnetic devices, materials and systems that are based on recent advances in electromagnetics, atomistic-scale materials, meta-heuristic optimisation and data-driven modelling. The AOTOMAT technology is robust and minimises the cost of design, development and prototyping of complex EM devices. In particular, AOTOMAT technology is focused on designing antennas and EM devices such as lenses which are suitable for 3D printing and additive manufacturing. The AOTOMAT design tools utilise a number of methods such as TO and multi-objective constrained optimisation of 3-dimenaional EM devices. Importantly, these are tailored to account for the limitations of differing manufacturing methodologies. Recently, AOTOMAT's technology has been used to generate 3D printed lens designs for car windscreen antennas with mm-wave beam tilting for next generation automotive communications.
Collaborator Contribution AOTOMAT will be subcontracted by QMUL to deliver new designs of various lens antennas that are suitable for 3D printing using their propriety design tools. Any IP that is developed by AOTOMAT in the development of the design tools used in the this work relating specifically to the TO and Electromagnetic Optimisation design process will be retained by the company. All final designs and the details of the design process will be provided in the technical documentation provided during and at the end of the project. The physical antennas and their individual designs will be owned by DSTL.
Impact This project supports AOTOMAT, our recent spinout company from QMUL founded by Prof. Yang Hao and Dr Henry Giddens in partnership with Queen Mary Innovation, the technology Transfer Office of QMUL.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Wearable antennas 
Organisation Qinetiq
Department QinetiQ (Farnborough)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The aims of the design and optimisation process remain reduction in the size, weight and power requirements associated with the antenna. In the core programme two design, manufacture and test iterations are provided for. Testing at the conclusion of the first phase will involve the antenna, feed and artificial magnetic conductor only. At the conclusion of the second phase, the antenna is to be tested on a human phantom.
Collaborator Contribution QinetiQ will provide data on available dielectric materials-with initial work starting from a value of er=3. It is also desired to operate the antenna conformally on a soldier's body, therefore it must be integrated onto an artificial magnetic conductor. QinetiQ will separately design a suitable surface and provide a model of that surface to QMUL for integration into the overall antenna optimisation process (underway). QinetiQ will also undertake antenna manufacture.
Impact N/A
Start Year 2021
 
Description CPE hosts KAST's 18th Frontier Scientists Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The Centre for Plastic Electronics has hosted the 18th Frontier Scientists Workshop on 19 July 2019 for the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) under the theme "sustainable energy sources for the next generation" for a day of discussions on their joint interests.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/192446/cpe-hosts-kasts-18th-frontier-scientists/
 
Description Invited speaker at Centre for wireless communications, Belfast, 2021. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact invited speaker
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Keynote Speaker at iWAT, Florida, USA, March 2019. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A keynote speech was given on metamaterials and hyperuniform disorder metasurfaces
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL http://iwat2019.org/conference/sessions
 
Description Preparations for 'move towards a 6G future, 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact A media report has been written and published.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.palatinate.org.uk/durham-university-begins-preparations-for-move-towards-a-6g-future/#go...
 
Description Queen Mary academic appointed as Research Chair to help solve economic and environmental challenges through computer-manipulated materials, 2022. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact A media report has been published
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2022/se/queen-mary-academic-appointed-as-research-chair-to-help-so...
 
Description Queen Mary, QinetiQ secure funding for wireless tech innovations, 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact New release and video have been made to the public.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.miragenews.com/queen-mary-qinetiq-secure-funding-for-wireless-1011050/
 
Description Scientists develop AI technology which can tell how someone is feeling, Daily Mail, 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact This is a news release on our recent work on the detection of human emotion using wireless signals.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9233749/Scientists-develop-AI-technology-tell-feeling.html