Collaborative: Transparent Solar Cell Antennas for Small Satellites

小卫星透明太阳能电池天线本研究的目的是开发模块化透明天线设计，可以放置在商用太阳能电池的顶部。这是小型卫星设计向前迈出的重要一步，允许将廉价的售后天线与现成的太阳能电池板集成，以提供最便宜，最灵活的设计。 智力优点该方法是使用金属丝网来构建可以粘附到太阳能电池表面的贴片天线，或者使用喷墨打印来打印这些设计。 材料和设计将使用遗传算法进行优化，以创建图案化天线，这些天线可能看起来是随机的，但在性能上有显着的改进。该项目将大大降低小型卫星的成本，小型卫星正成为大学廉价空间科学和工业低成本部署的支柱。透明天线的其他应用包括集成到建筑物或车辆的窗户玻璃上，可穿戴天线（在衣服上）和由非导电复合材料制成的车辆天线（大多数汽车和飞机的未来）。更广泛的影响该技术拓宽了通信系统架构，其中安全性，友好的外观和空间限制很重要。 用于该项目的设计和原型制作方法也可以用于学生课程，有可能使大学和高中学生参与高度创造性的天线设计项目。 该项目将扩大代表性不足群体的参与。

Transparent Solar Cell Antennas for Small SatellitesThe objective of this research is to develop modular transparent antenna designs that can be placed on top of commercially available solar cells. This is an important step forward for small satellite designs, allowing an inexpensive after-market antenna to be integrated with an off-the-shelf solar panel to provide the least expensive, most flexible design. Intellectual MeritThe approach is to use wire meshes to build patch antennas that can be adhered to the surface of the solar cell, or to use ink-jet printing to print these designs. The materials and designs will be optimized using a genetic algorithm to create patterned antennas that may appear random but provide significant improvements in performance. This project will provide a significant cost reduction for small satellites, which are becoming the backbone of inexpensive space science for universities and low-cost deployment for industry. Other applications for transparent antennas include integration onto window glass of buildings or vehicles, wearable antennas (on clothing) and antennas for vehicles built from non-conducting composites (the future of most cars and airplanes).Broader ImpactThe technology broadens communication system architecture where security, amiable appearance, and space limitations are important. The design and prototyping methods used for this project can also be used in student courses, potentially allowing college and high school students to participate in highly creative antenna design projects. The project will broaden participation of under-represented groups.