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）可重构RF前端，使用新型微流体技术，将可移动的金属涂层石英片纳入聚合物通道中，以实现寄生负载，以及（B）柔性电子产品融入有吸引力的服装中，其性能与不灵活的铜产品相似。所提出的微流体重新配置概念以前从未尝试过，并且旨在克服先前的微流体切换机制遭受毒性和氧化的问题。它的成功是变革性的，因为它将导致基于广泛可用的材料的可靠和无毒的重新配置。 智力价值是研究新的微流体重构概念。由于这些概念以前从未被考虑过，因此存在与其可行性相关的挑战，需要几种新技术的共存，包括流体流动、涂覆石英颗粒/片的制造、氧化、使用复合聚合物的新通道的制造、材料兼容性、可重复性和可靠性。拟议的设备旨在实现可靠的高速连接，无论一个人？的位置或运动。拟议的可重构纺织天线和RF前端的更广泛影响正在改变游戏规则。它将能够有效地访问整个无线电频谱，并为医疗病人提供按需远程医疗监测，使他们能够留在家里。该技术的实现为在材料科学、电气工程和纺织品设计/制造领域开展多学科研究提供了独特的机会。通过引入本科生和研究生项目来招募代表性不足的学生的夏令营将继续进行

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