Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-mmrw7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-13T12:58:09.389Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Conformable Patch Antenna Array for Energy Harvesting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Akshat C Patel ,
Miral P Vaghela ,
Hassan Bajwa  and
Prabir K Patra
Akshat C Patel
Affiliation:
akshatkp@bridgeport.edu, University of Bridgeport, Electrical Engineering, Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Miral P Vaghela
Affiliation:
mvaghela@bridgeport.edu, University of Bridgeport, Electrical Engineering, Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Hassan Bajwa
Affiliation:
hbajwa@bridgeport.edu, University of Bridgeport, Electrical Engineering, Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Prabir K Patra
Affiliation:
ppatra@bridgeport.edu, University of Bridgeport, Mechanical Engineering, Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Get access

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) has emerged as potential candidate for replacement of conventional metal patch in antenna application. The principal objective of our research is to develop nanostructured flexible patch antenna array for multi- frequency operation in industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band. Patch antenna design using CNT on flexible cotton sheets has been simulated with cotton as a substrate and CNT as conductive patch and ground plane. Due to high conformability and conductivity of CNT all antenna parameters like VSWR, return loss, gain and radiation pattern obtained using FEKO EMSS software meet design criteria. Our simulated antenna design shows a return loss less than -10 dB and VSWR less than 2 at 2.06 GHz, 2.38 GHz and 2.49 GHz. We have also simulated a versatile and conformable antenna design where the whole geometry is rolled up like patch array on cylindrical surface. Conformability to curved surfaces and integration with the structure brings about a unique antenna design. An inset fed square patch array is also proposed for RF energy harvesting operating in the 2.45 GHz ISM band that can harvest and store energy from the surrounding environment. Simulation result shows that dc voltage of 0.215 V can be achieved at -6 dbm received energy level at 2.45 GHz IEEE 802.11b band. This would correspond to potential working distance of 10m.

Keywords

ink-jet printingsimulationnanostructure

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

1 Iijima, S. Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon. Nature 354: 56–58, 1991 Google Scholar
2 Ebbesen, T. W.; Ajayan, P. M. Large-scale synthesis of carbon nanotubes. Nature 358: 220–222, 1992 Google Scholar
3 Han, Jae-Hee, Paulus, Geraldine L. C., Maruyama, Ryuichiro, Heller, Daniel A., Kim, Woo-Jae, Barone, Paul W., Lee, Chang Young, Choi, Jong Hyun, Ham, Moon-Ho, Song, Changsik, Fantini, C., Strano, Michael S., Exciton antennas and concentrators from core-shell and corrugated carbon nanotube filaments of homogeneous composition, Nature Materials (press), 2010 Google Scholar
4 Ham, Moon-Ho, Choi, Jong Hyun, Boghossian, Ardemis A., Jeng, Esther S., Graff, Rachel A., Heller, Daniel A., Chang, Alice C., Mattis, Aidas, Bayburt, Timothy H., Grinkova, Yelena V., Zeiger, Adam S., Vliet, Krystyn J. Van, Hobbie, Erik K., Sligar, Stephen G., Wraight, Colin A., Strano, Michael S., Photoelectrochemical complexes for solar energy conversion that chemically and autonomously regenerate, Nature Chemistry (in press), 2006 Google Scholar
5 Burke, P.J., Li, S., and Yu, Z., Quantitative Theory of Nanowire and Nanotube Antenna Performance. 2004.Google Scholar
6 Mantysalo, M, Mansikkamaki, P, An inkjet deposited antenna for 2.4GHz applications, International Journal of Electronics and Communications, 63(1), 31–35, 2009 Google Scholar
7 Patra, P.K., et al, Textile based carbon nanostructured flexible antenna. NTC Project Annual report: M06-MD01, 2006.Google Scholar
8 Hall, P.S. and Hao, Y., Antennas And Propagation for Body-Centric Wireless Communications. 2006: Artech House, Inc. Google Scholar
9 Demoustier, S., et al., Review of two microwave applications of carbon nanotubes: nano-antennas and nano-switches. Comptes Rendus Physique, 2008. 9(1): p. 53–66.Google Scholar
10 Burke, P.J., Yu, Z., and Rutherglen, C.. Carbon nanotubes for RF and microwaves. in Gallium Arsenide and Other Semiconductor Application Symposium, 2005. EGAAS 2005. European. 2005.Google Scholar
11 Dragoman, M. and Dragoman, D.. The carbon nanotube radio. in Semiconductor Conference, 2008. CAS 2008. International. 2008.Google Scholar
12 Wang, Q., et al., The effects of CNT alignment on electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of SWNT/epoxy nanocomposites. Composites Science and Technology, 2008. 68(7-8): p. 1644–1648.Google Scholar
13 Hong, S.S.M., Nanotube Electronics: A flexible approach to mobility. Nature Nanotechnology 2007. 2(doi:10.1038/nnano.2007.89): p. 207–208.Google Scholar
14 Salonen, P., -S., Y.R., Kivikoski, M. Wearable Antennas in the Vicinity of Human Body. IEEE International Symposium on Antennas & Propagation, Monterey, CA, June 20 -26, 2004.Google Scholar
15 Tentzeris, M.M. and Kawahara, Y.. Novel Energy Harvesting Technologies for ICT Applications. in Applications and the Internet, 2008. SAINT 2008. International Symposium on. 2008.Google Scholar
16 Hagerty, J.A., T.Z., Zane, R., Popovic, Z., Efficient Broadband RF Energy Harvesting for Wireless Sensors. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder.Google Scholar
17 Balanis, C.A., Antenna theory: analysis and design / Constantine A. Balanis. The Harper & Row series in electrical engineering. 1982, New York; Brisbane:: J. Wiley.Google Scholar
18 Li, Y., et al., RFID Tag and RF Structures on a Paper Substrate Using Inkjet-Printing Technology. Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on, 2007. 55(12): p. 2894–2901.Google Scholar
19 Onar, N., et al., Structural, electrical and electromagnetic properties of cotton fabrics coated with polyaniline and polypyrrole, J.Appl. Polym. Sci, 2009. 114 (4): p.2003–2010 Google Scholar
20 Poncharal, P., et al., Room Temperature Ballistic Conduction in Carbon Nanotubes. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2002. 106(47): p. 12104–12118.Google Scholar
21 Li, Q.W., et al., Structure-Dependent Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotube Fibers. Advanced Materials, 2007. 19(20): p. 3358–3363.Google Scholar
22 Li, S., et al., Electrical Properties of 0.4 cm Long Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Nano Letters, 2004. 4(10): p. 2003–2007.Google Scholar