A groundbreaking study taps into the ancient art of kirigami to create flexible, versatile antennas using MXene materials, promising significant advancements in wireless technology, soft robotics and aerospace.
Researchers at Drexel University and the University of British Columbia are drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese art of kirigami to pave the way for revolutionary advancements in wireless technology. Utilizing MXene nanomaterials, the team has developed a method to create reconfigurable, flexible antennas that promise to enhance the capabilities of future communication systems.
Published in Nature Communications, the study illustrates how kirigami, a variation of origami involving intricate cuts and folds, is applied to a sheet of acetate coated with conductive MXene ink. This innovative approach not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also allows for antennas that can dynamically adjust their transmission frequencies through simple movements.
“For wireless technology to support advancements in fields like soft robotics and aerospace, antennas need to be designed for tunable performance and with ease of fabrication,”co-author Yury Gogotsi, Distinguished University and Bach Professor in Drexel’s College of Engineering, said in a news release. “Kirigami is a natural model for a manufacturing process, due to the simplicity with which complex 3D forms can be created from a single 2D piece of material.”
Unlike traditional microwave antennas that require complex circuitry for reconfiguration, kirigami-inspired antennas adjust physically, making them less bulky and more durable. The process demonstrated by the research team involves coating a sheet of acetate with aqueous MXene ink, followed by making strategic cuts. When the edges are pulled, three-dimensional resonator antennas emerge, their transmission characteristics modifiable by altering their shape.
MXenes, a family of nanomaterials discovered by Drexel researchers in 2011, are key to this innovation. Their unique chemical and physical properties make them excellent for applications requiring precise control over electromagnetic wave transmission, such as in telecommunications and energy storage.
“Frequency selective surfaces, like these antennas, are periodic structures that selectively transmit, reflect, or absorb electromagnetic waves at specific frequencies,” Mohammad Zarifi, an associate professor at UBC and principal research chair of the study, said in the news release. “They have active and/or passive structures and are commonly used in applications such as antennas, radomes and reflectors to control wave propagation direction in wireless communication at 5G and beyond platforms.”
The team’s prototypes have successfully transmitted signals across various microwave frequency bands, demonstrating their potential for diverse applications. Notably, the capability to shift frequencies by altering the antenna’s shape makes these devices suitable for strain-sensing in infrastructure monitoring, potentially offering a versatile tool for safety and maintenance.
Moving forward, the researchers will work to refine and optimize the performance of these antennas. They plan to explore new shapes, substrates and movements, aiming to push the boundaries of what kirigami-inspired MXene antennas can achieve.
The implications of this research are significant, potentially reshaping how wireless devices, robotics and aerospace systems are designed and operated, offering a future where technology is more adaptive, robust and efficient.