EAGER: Reconfigurable Textile Antennas and Radio Frequency (RF) Electronics Using Microfluidic Techniques

该计划的目标是引入和研究改变游戏规则的方法，以实现可靠的(A)可重新配置的射频前端，该前端使用新型微流体，在聚合物通道中结合可移动的金属涂层石英片，以实现寄生加载，以及(B)将柔性电子产品整合到具有吸引力的服装中，其性能类似于其坚硬的铜质同类产品。提出的微流控重构概念以前从未尝试过，目的是克服以前的微流控开关机制存在的毒性和氧化问题。它的成功具有变革性，因为它将导致基于广泛可用的材料进行可靠和无毒的重新配置。其智力价值在于研究新的微流控重构概念。由于这些概念以前从未被考虑过，因此存在与它们的可行性相关的挑战，需要几种新技术共存，包括流体流动、涂层石英颗粒/块的制造、氧化、使用复合聚合物制造新通道、材料兼容性、重复性和可靠性。建议的设备旨在实现可靠的高速连接，无论人-S的位置或移动。拟议中的可重构纺织天线和射频前端的更广泛影响将改变游戏规则。它将使人们能够有效地访问整个无线电频谱，并提供对医疗患者的按需远程医疗监测，使他们能够呆在家里。这项技术的实现为在材料科学、电气工程和纺织设计/制造领域开展多学科研究提供了一个独特的机会。将继续举办夏令营，通过引入本科生和研究生项目来招收代表不足的学生

The objective of this program is to introduce and research game-changing approaches for reliable (a) reconfigurable RF front-ends using novel microfluidics that incorporates movable metal-coated quartz pieces within polymer channels to realize parasitic loadings, and (b) flexible electronics into attractive garments with performance similar to their inflexible copper counterparts. The proposed microfluidic reconfiguration concept has never been tried before, and is aimed at overcoming issues with previous microfluidic switching mechanisms that suffer from toxicity and oxidation. Its success is transformative as it will lead to reliable and non-toxic reconfigurations based on widely available materials. The intellectual merit is to research novel microfluidic reconfiguration concepts. Because these concepts have never been considered before, there are challenges relating to their viability, requiring coexistence of several new technologies, including fluidic flow, fabrication of coated quartz particles/pieces, oxidation, fabrication of new channels using composite polymers, material compatibility, repeatability and reliability. The proposed devices are aimed at achieving reliable high speed connectivity, regardless of a person?s position or movement. The broader impact of the proposed reconfigurable textile antennas and RF front-ends is game-changing. It will enable efficient access to the entire radio spectrum and provide for on-demand remote medical monitoring of medical patients, allowing them to stay at home. The realization of this technology provides for a unique opportunity to carry out multidisciplinary research in material science, electrical engineering and textile design/manufacturing. Summer camps for recruiting underrepresented students by introducing undergrad and graduate student projects will be pursued