Stimuli-Responsive Materials for Reconfigurable Arrays

The electromagnetic propagation environment is traditionally viewed as a hindrance to good performance in wireless communication and sensing systems, since it distorts transmitted signals in an uncontrollable way. Ideally, one would be able to engineer a way to exert a level of control over such environments, or at least the signals that propagate through them, in order to optimise system performance. Antenna array technology is traditionally used to this end, where signal properties are modulated through careful phasing of the array elements. Arrays can be deployed at a transmitter or receiver, or they can serve as reflectors that operate semi-passively within the communication environment, in which case they can be used to improve propagation characteristics and to stabilise the propagation environment. In all cases, it is beneficial to design arrays to be reconfigurable, and the performance of a particular design will depend on the phase, frequency, and temporal responses of the array elements.

The aim of this project is to conduct research on the use of stimuli-responsive (SR) materials, such as liquid crystals (LCs) and electro-active polymers and gels, in reconfigurable array designs. The inherently reconfigurable nature of these materials makes them attractive candidates for use in arrays employed in communication and sensing applications at frequencies over 10 GHz. During the course of the project, electromagnetic models for SR-based arrays will be investigated with a view to understanding their usefulness in sensing and communication applications. Different materials will be studied within this framework. Simple devices will be constructed and tested with a view to validating theoretical predictions. To date, little research has been carried out on SR-based array systems; hence, this project offers the opportunity to create disruptive technology at a basic level, but which could be useful for 6G cellular networks and imaging/sensing applications.

The project sits within EPSRC's ICT theme. The research areas within this theme with which the project is most closely aligned include Microelectronic Device Technology, Photonics Materials, RF and Microwave Devices, and RF & Microwave Communications and ICT Networks & Distributed Systems. The project also satisfies the Cross-ICT Priority of New and Emerging Areas in ICT (through the exploration of novel materials in ICT applications). The project will be undertaken with the support of Toshiba Europe Ltd.