GOALI: Functional Magnetic Polymer Nanocomposite Films for Tunable RD Device Applications

该学术联络机会（GOALI）项目与南佛罗里达大学和罗杰斯公司合作，共同开发混合聚合物/微波层叠板的纳米制造方法。主要目标包括解决嵌入铁电和铁磁纳米颗粒的聚合物薄膜中的关键材料科学和工程问题，开发精确的微波表征和参数提取方法，以及展示小型化高性能射频器件，如多功能天线和谐振器。高分子纳米复合材料具有高介电常数和1 GHz以上的磁导率。将研究PMMA、PVDF和聚吡咯作为主体聚合物，铁酸钡和钛酸钡材料作为纳米复合包裹体。纳米颗粒表面活性剂的涂层将被用来获得均匀分散在聚合物介质中。以解决方案为基础的合成路线将被探索，这将允许扩大规模，实现使用喷雾和丝网印刷技术大面积涂层。研究了纳米复合膜的结构、磁性和介电性能。本文将演示基于电磁特性可调聚合物纳米复合薄膜的多功能天线和谐振器的微波特性、建模和设计流程。射频聚合物技术的成功开发将为射频/微波领域提供具有独特功能的新型层压板，用于高频电路和天线的小型化，以及频率、带宽和阻抗的实时可调谐潜力。用于射频通信设备的材料通常性质坚硬，因为它们是半导体，金属或陶瓷的固体。该项目解决了这类设备的范式转变，其目标是探索轻质、低成本、易于大量加工和制造的聚合物等软材料。创新的研究策略结合纳米技术和聚合物加工，提出先进的，下一代微波材料和设备。功能性高频纳米复合聚合物的成功演示以及工业中普遍采用的大规模制造方法将有利于从国防/安全到商业电子的应用。该项目将为参与的学生提供材料科学和微波设计工程方面的实践培训，这两个领域都是雇主高度追捧的。研究人员在指导学生进行跨学科研究方面有着广泛的记录。该项目的一个主要成果是为学生提供尖端科学和技术方面的培训，从而有可能为培养高素质的劳动力做好准备，迎接下一代电信设备的挑战。

This Grant Opportunity for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) project partners the University of South Florida with Rogers Corporation to develop nanomanufacturing methods for hybrid polymer/microwave laminates. Primary goals include addressing key materials science and engineering issues in polymer films with embedded ferroelectric and ferromagnetic nanoparticles, developing accurate microwave characterization and parameter extraction methods and demonstrating miniaturized high performance RF devices such as multi-function antennas and resonators. The synthesis of polymer nanocomposites with high permittivity and permeability above 1 GHz will be pursued. PMMA, PVDF and polypyrrole will be investigated as host polymers with barium ferrite and barium titanate materials as nanocomposite inclusions. Surfactant coating of nanoparticles will be used to obtain uniform dispersion within the polymer media. Solution-based synthetic routes will be explored that would allow for scaling up to achieve large area coatings using spray and screen printing technologies. The structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of the nanocomposite films will be characterized. Microwave characterization, modeling and design flow will be demonstrated for multi-function antennas and resonators based on the polymer nanocomposite films with tunable electromagnetic properties. Successful development of the RF polymer technology will provide to the RF/microwave community new laminates with unique capabilities for miniaturization of high frequency circuits and antennas, as well as the potential for real-time tunability of frequency, bandwidth and impedance.The materials used in RF telecommunication devices are generally hard in nature as they are solids that are semiconductors, metals or ceramics. This project addresses a paradigm shift in such devices with its goal to explore soft materials like polymers that are lightweight, cost effective and easy to process and manufacture in large quantity. The innovative research strategy combines nanotechnology and polymer processing to come up with advanced, next-generation microwave materials and devices. The successful demonstration of functional, high frequency nanocomposite polymers and large-scale manufacturing methods commonly practiced in industry would benefit applications from defense/security to commercial electronics. The project will provide hands-on training in materials science and microwave design engineering both of which are highly sought after by employers to participating students. The investigators have an extensive record of mentoring students in interdisciplinary research. A major outcome of the project is the training provided to students in cutting edge science and technology, thus having the potential to contribute to a highly skilled workforce ready to take on the challenges of the next generation telecommunication devices.