The project will open up new opportunities in the product development of printed antennas for wireless systems. The use of antennas is essential in any communication system and are becoming increasingly common in the wireless and digitally connected society, also known as the internet of things. The printing of antennas provides a number of opportunities for wireless sensors such as the ability to manufacture antennas that are conformable in geometry and cost effective to produce at mass scale. The scheme will look to scale up existing specialist additive manufacturing techniques which will allow antennas to be integrated into electronic devices in an optimal manner. The commercialisation of such will benefit a host of high value industries such as healthcare, defence, automotive and construction.
“The relationship developed through the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Fellowship Scheme is highly beneficial to both The University of Kent and CPI,” explained Alan McClelland, business manager at CPI. “The project will focus on healthcare applications such as in wearable technology for improved communication between doctors and patients and wireless technology for signals and equipment in the health sector. Other applications include the control of wireless indoor propagation and space communication technologies.”
Benito Sanz, lecturer in Electronics systems specialising in Antenna and Microwave electronics at University of Kent added: “The scheme gives the University of Kent the opportunity to access CPI’s unique scale up fabrication infrastructure and ink formulation expertise, allowing us to progress our antennae technology from the lab and into pilot scale production. I look forward to progressing this technology into real applications.”
