Collaborative Research: Polymer RF electronics with Co-integrated tuning and thermal cooling using microfluidics

合作研究：使用微流体技术进行协同集成调谐和热冷却的聚合物射频电子器件

• 批准号: 1202329
• 负责人: Rhonda Franklin
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-05-15 至 2016-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1202329&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Polymer; RF; electronics

ECCS-1202329/1202431Rhonda Franklin, University of MinnesotaIoannis Papapolymerou, Georgia Institute of TechnologyCollaborative Research: Polymer RF Electronics with Co-Integrated Tuning and Thermal Cooling Using MicrofluidicsAbstractIntellectual Merit: Lightweight integrated Radio-Frequency (RF) front ends in mobile communications and radar systems require adequate RF power, tuning capability and low cost. Yet, the demand for multi-function operation inevitably increases circuit densities leading to higher heat production. Integrated tuning with RF electronics exists; however, cooling solutions are developed separately and incorporated in a back-end post-assembly process that results in larger heavier systems that are costly. Tunable RF electronic technology platforms with integrated cooling systems are needed to satisfy growing mobile application requirements. However, they have not been successfully integrated into lightweight, low-cost materials that offer suitable high performance. This collaborative research project between the University of Minnesota and the Georgia Institute of Technology seeks to develop an all-in-one RF electronics and wireless communication/radar system with integrated tuning and cooling designs, using a 3-D System-on-a-Package (SOP) approach for RF front-ends. Low cost Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) organic substrates that can be laminated will be used to develop for the first time integrated microfluidic channel designs for heat removal and/or RF tuning. The objectives are (1) to understand dielectric fluids use for tuning in printed RF circuits while offering simultaneous cooling, (2) to develop designs/circuit models that describe RF and thermal interactions in RF designs with fluid interfaces, and (3) to demonstrate feasibility by creating an RF power amplifier circuit with co-integrated tuning/cooling approach with a microfluidic systems in organic polymer substrates.Broader Impacts: The 21st century RF mobile electronics market continues to grow at unprecedented rates. Thus, RF electronics can potentially consume enormous amounts of energy and produce significant amounts of hardware waste due to frequent upgrades if design approaches to minimize or alleviate hardware failure and extend hardware lifetimes though reconfiguration are not developed. The outcomes of this research can slow down such trends and therefore reduce environmental waste production caused by disposed electronics. This research combines RF electronics with microfluidics technology to provide a rich training experience for the next generation of students and researchers working on complex integrated systems that can preserve the environment. The educational effort will provide energy awareness from RF electronics and involve developing strong ties with local K-12 schools in Atlanta and Minneapolis, active minority student participation (i.e. K-12 and undergrad level), collaborations with K-12 educators to develop suitable age appropriate curriculum/demonstrations, and presentation talks/events to educate the public on energy use and consumptions in wireless devices.

ECCS-12202329/1202431RHONDA富兰克林，明尼苏达州大学帕帕普利梅尔大学，佐治亚州技术研究所研究所研究：聚合物RF电气设备与协同综合的调谐和使用MicrofluidicsAbstractellectellectellectal intertions Intermation Intermation Intection in Mobiletation Inlection in Mobiletation in Mobiletion in Mobile in Mobile in Mobile in Mobiles intrar in Mobile in Mobile in Mobile intrar intrar intrar interiated：足够的RF功率，调整能力和低成本。然而，对多功能操作的需求不可避免地会增加电路密度，从而导致更高的热量产生。存在与RF电子设备的集成调谐；但是，冷却解决方案是单独开发的，并将其纳入后端组装后过程中，从而导致较大的重型系统成本高昂。需要使用集成冷却系统的可调式RF电子技术平台来满足增长的移动应用要求。但是，它们尚未成功整合到可提供合适高性能的轻质，低成本材料中。明尼苏达大学和佐治亚州理工学院之间的合作研究项目旨在使用3-D System-a-a-package（SOP）方法（SOP）方法来开发一个多合一的RF电子设备和无线通信/雷达系统，用于RF前端。低成本的液晶聚合物（LCP）有机底物可用于层压的有机基材首次开发用于取水和/或RF调谐的集成的微流体通道设计。 The objectives are (1) to understand dielectric fluids use for tuning in printed RF circuits while offering simultaneous cooling, (2) to develop designs/circuit models that describe RF and thermal interactions in RF designs with fluid interfaces, and (3) to demonstrate feasibility by creating an RF power amplifier circuit with co-integrated tuning/cooling approach with a microfluidic systems in organic polymer Boader的影响：21世纪RF移动电子市场继续以前所未有的速度增长。因此，如果设计方法可最大程度地减少或减轻硬件寿命，但由于未开发重新配置，RF电子设备可以潜在地消耗大量的能量并产生大量的硬件浪费。这项研究的结果可以减慢此类趋势，从而减少由销售电子产品引起的环境废物产生。这项研究将RF电子产品与微流体技术结合在一起，为下一代学生和研究人员提供丰富的培训经验，从事可以保护环境的复杂集成系统。 The educational effort will provide energy awareness from RF electronics and involve developing strong ties with local K-12 schools in Atlanta and Minneapolis, active minority student participation (i.e. K-12 and undergrad level), collaborations with K-12 educators to develop suitable age appropriate curriculum/demonstrations, and presentation talks/events to educate the public on energy use and consumptions in wireless devices.