Collaborative Research: Enabling a new technology for reconfigurable RF front-ends and antenna array systems through phase-change materials.

摘要（提案#1310400和#1310257）：智力优势：本研究的目的是通过相变材料的独特特性，开发具有多重可重构特性的新型射频前端系统、滤波器、传输线和天线阵列拓扑。定义的研究任务涵盖从基础材料科学到系统集成，创建了一个交叉点，导致可重构射频前端和天线阵列设计的新路径。预计将开发的组成部分将有广泛的反应。这些响应将通过以下途径实现：(1)二氧化钒在其相变过程中电性能的变化；(2)通过可变电阻率和介电常数控制阻抗匹配和带宽，从而与不同特性阻抗的其他组分兼容；(3)具有“模拟”调谐的多频率以及模式和极化。二氧化钒是一种多功能相变材料（即智能材料），将以图案化薄膜的形式集成在特定的射频设计中。图像化二氧化钒薄膜在其相变过程中介电常数和电阻率的剧烈和突然连续变化将被用作重新配置元素，而它们的滞后行为将被用于编程器件中的多个状态。所提出的器件的可重构性和可编程性将根据幅度和相位响应来表征。更广泛的影响：多功能相变材料在天线和微波元件设计中的集成为射频元件工程师增加了新的自由度。提出的研究将产生多可重构天线阵列，并将有利于阵列小型化、馈电网络和复合传输线等应用。教育和推广计划涵盖从小学到博士水平，包括在会议上的科学演讲、期刊出版物、社交媒体、课程丰富、开源软件开发，以及通过两所机构之间互补性知识的交流促进多学科学习经验。

Abstract (Proposal #1310400 and #1310257):Intellectual Merit: The objective of this research is to develop new radio-frequency front-end systems, filters, transmission lines, and antenna array topologies with multi-reconfigurable characteristics through the unique properties of phase-change materials. The defined research tasks span from fundamental materials science to system integration, creating an intersection that leads to a new path in the design of reconfigurable radio-frequency front-ends and antenna arrays. The components that will be developed are expected to have a wide range of responses. These responses will be enabled by the following approaches: (1) the changes in the electric properties of vanadium dioxide across its phase transition, (2) the compatibility with other components of different characteristic impedance due to the controlled impedance matching and bandwidth through the variable resistivity and dielectric permittivity, and (3) multiple frequencies with "analog" tuning as well as patterns and polarizations. Vanadium dioxide is a multifunctional phase change material (i.e. a smart material) that will be integrated in specific radio-frequency designs in the form of patterned thin films. The drastic and abrupt continuous variability in the dielectric permittivity and resistivity of patterned vanadium dioxide films across their phase change will be used as the reconfiguring element, while their hysteretic behavior will be used to program multiple states in the devices. The reconfigurability and programmability of the proposed devices will be characterized in terms of amplitude and phase response. Broader Impact: The integration of multifunctional phase change materials in antenna and microwave component designs adds a new degree of freedom for radio-frequency component engineers. The proposed research will produce multi-reconfigurable antenna arrays and will benefit applications including array miniaturization, feed networks, and composite transmission lines. The educational and outreach plan spans from elementary school through the doctorate level and involves scientific presentations at conferences, journal publications, social media, course enrichment, an open-source software development, and the promotion of a multidisciplinary learning experience through the exchange of complementary knowledge between the two institutions.