Customizing 3D-Printing for Electromagnetics to Design Enhanced RFID Antennas

none5This document discusses some of the advances in additive manufacturing 3D-printing for electromagnetic applications that have been investigated in the literature in the last few years. Starting from the research activity of the authors on this topic, this work summarizes and showcases the effectiveness of the 3D-printing technology in electromagnetics, with reference to UHF RFID technology. Specifically, the first part of the work deals with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing technique and faces the problem of the characterization of 3D-printable materials using a made-in-lab instrument based on the T-Resonator theory, which has been purposely designed to be 3D-printed. Once verified the dielectric properties of substrates realized with common 3D-printable materials, two techniques to improve their electrical permittivity are explained. Moreover, the possibility to realize fully 3D-printed RFID devices based on the use of novel 3D-printable materials with noteworthy conductive properties is discussed. Then, two new 3D-printed antennas are presented and discussed highlighting some of the advantages of 3D-printing in electromagnetics. Finally, the application in RFID of another promising 3D-printing technology called Digital Light Processing (DLP) and based on the photopolymerization of liquid resins is discussed as well.openR. Colella ; F. P. Chietera ; F. Montagna ; A. Greco ; L. CatarinucciColella, R.; Chietera, F. P.; Montagna, F.; Greco, A.; Catarinucci, L

Unobtrusive Implementation of Wireless Electronics into Clothing

Research in flexible and stretchable electronics (FSE) has gained significant momentum in recent years due to being mechanically durable without compromising electrical performance. Newer materials and manufacturing methods are studied for efficiently developing FSEs. These materials and methods can be applied to the widespread development of wearable electronics, particularly clothing-integrated electronics. However, seamlessly integrating clothing into electronics has been quite challenging, where achieving an optimal balance between electrical performance and mechanical reliability is a key issue. This thesis aims to find innovative and novel solutions for integrating electronics into clothing, which could be mechanically durable, with limited compromise to their electrical functionality. This thesis combines 3D printing with passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to develop wireless platforms integrated into clothing. 3D printing was used to create encapsulants in which electronic components and antennas, designed with conductive yarns and textiles, were embedded. The wireless platforms developed in this study were tested for their mechanical reliability and evaluated for their wireless performance. This study then extended to RFID sensor development, where stimuli responsive materials were 3D printed onto textiles, and wireless performance concerning stimuli response were observed. This study observed that 3D printing encapsulated RFID-based wireless platforms functioned well regarding their wireless performance, despite exposure to moisture and mechanical stress. Although in their preliminary stages, the sensor platforms were also optimally responsive to moisture and temperature changes. Future studies include further evaluating the 3D printing parameters and materials for better mechanical reliability and more extensive studies on the sensor platforms. The wireless platforms developed in this study can be further developed for applications related to health care, logistics, security, and sensing applications

On the use of additive manufacturing 3D-printing technology in RFID antenna design

This document represents an overview of the research activity at University of Salento about the use of additive manufacturing 3D printing in electromagnetic applications, including RFID. In this work the authors summarize and briefly explain all the steps of their research in the matter. This summary starts with the problem of the characterization of 3D-printable materials using a made-in-lab instrument based on the T-Resonator theory, which has been purposely printed in 3D itself. Then, two possible solutions to overcome the low permittivity limits of commercial 3Dprintable materials are explained. Finally, the possible applications of new conductive filaments which enable the possibility to fully 3D print microwave structures and antennas are discussed. The prospective of applications of 3D-printing technology in antenna design is then discussed on the basis of two different antennas designed and electromagnetically characterized. © 2019 IEEE