Opening a New Era of High-Performance Microwave Devices

我们提出了一种概念性的新方法，使用液态导体和3D打印技术以低成本和短交货时间制造高性能微波元件。创新在于开发无表面粗糙度的基于波导和同轴的RF和微波器件。这种技术可以进一步扩展，通过操纵液体导体的位置来创建高性能的可重新配置的RF和微波器件，例如滤波器、天线、定向耦合器、移相器和开关。此外，该方法将能够管理高功率应用中产生的热量。澳大利亚电信业和国防将受益于该项目的成果。

We propose a conceptually new method of manufacturing high-performance microwave components at the low-cost and short lead time using liquid form conductors and 3D printing technology. Innovation consists in developing surface roughness free waveguide- and coaxial-based RF and microwave devices, in one-single-piece. This technique can be further extended to create high-performance reconfigurable RF and microwave devices such as filters, antennas, directional couplers, phase shifters and switches by manipulating the locations of the liquid conductors. Furthermore, the method will enable the management of heat generated in high-power applications. Australian telecommunication industry and defence will benefit from the outcome of this project.