Advancing Microstrip Patch Antennas through Prosopis Africana Conductive Ink-based Thick Films for Enhanced Bandwidth in Radar Applications

This paper addresses the bandwidth limitations inherent in microstrip patch antennas, which are commonly employed in radar applications owing to their compact size and integration convenience. To overcome these limitations, this study explores the application of Prosopis Africana conductive ink-based thick film, an innovative and environmentally friendly material. Originating from the African mesquite tree, this ink exhibits high conductivity owing to its elevated carbon content, presenting a compelling solution for enhancing microstrip patch antenna bandwidth. The research entails thoroughly examining microstrip antenna design principles and associated challenges, followed by exploring the unique properties of Prosopis Africana conductive ink. A detailed methodology outlines the fabrication process of the ink-based thick layer or film on the substrate, with simulation and measurements employed to evaluate its impact on impedance matching and radiation characteristics. Emphasizing the eco-friendliness of Prosopis Africana conductive ink aligning with green electronics trends, the study showcases its potential for advancing wireless communication systems while reducing ecological footprints. Results demonstrate a substantial bandwidth improvement exceeding 1.85 GHz, a simulation |S11| return loss value of -16.19 dB, and achieved 84.5% radiation efficiency of the operating frequency at 9.5 GHz and a peak realized gain of 7.10 dB. Hence, integrating Prosopis Africana conductive ink-based thick film is a viable strategy for augmenting microstrip patch antenna bandwidth, rendering them more adept for radar applications

Advancing microstrip patch antennas through prosopis africana conductive ink-based thick films for enhanced bandwidth in radar applications

This paper addresses the bandwidth limitations inherent in microstrip patch antennas, which are commonly employed in radar applications owing to their compact size and integration convenience. To overcome these limitations, this study explores the application of Prosopis Africana conductive ink-based thick film, an innovative and environmentally friendly material. Originating from the African mesquite tree, this ink exhibits high conductivity owing to its elevated carbon content, presenting a compelling solution for enhancing microstrip patch antenna bandwidth. The research entails thoroughly examining microstrip antenna design principles and associated challenges, followed by exploring the unique properties of Prosopis Africana conductive ink. A detailed methodology outlines the fabrication process of the ink-based thick layer or film on the substrate, with simulation and measurements employed to evaluate its impact on impedance matching and radiation characteristics. Emphasizing the eco-friendliness of Prosopis Africana conductive ink aligning with green electronics trends, the study showcases its potential for advancing wireless communication systems while reducing ecological footprints. Results demonstrate a substantial bandwidth improvement exceeding 1.85 GHz, a simulation |S11| return loss value of −16.19 dB, and achieved 84.5% radiation efficiency of the operating frequency at 9.5 GHz and a peak realized gain of 7.10 dB. Hence, integrating Prosopis Africana conductive ink-based thick film is a viable strategy for augmenting microstrip patch antenna bandwidth, rendering them more adept for radar applications

Development and characterization of screen-printed Prosopis Africana char thick film for electronic applications

The need for biomass materials that are both cost-effective and highly effective has increased rapidly in a number of areas, including flexible electronics. The aim of this research is to investigate the properties of a screen-printed thick film of Prosopis Africana charcoal (PAC) on an alumina substrate. The biochar was obtained from the Prosopis Africana strain by subjecting it to controlled pyrolysis at 500 °C for 3 h. The rheological properties of the PAC pastes were formulated at a powder-to-organic binder ratio of 40:60 wt%. An average 11.8-µm-thick layer was produced using the screen-printing process. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the presence of characteristic peaks at approximately 25.0° and 44.7°. These peaks correspond to the (002) and (004) reflections of the graphite structure. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the PAC film exhibited thermal stability in an airflow environment up to 650 °C. The surface morphology of the PAC thick film exhibits a reticulated appearance with patchy features, while elemental composition analysis (EDX) confirmed the high carbon content of the PAC thick film. The real and imaginary dielectric constants of the PAC thick film at 10 GHz were found to be 9.8 and 1.8, respectively. It can be concluded that the PAC biochar has promising electronic properties, making it a suitable candidate as an environmentally friendly material for a range of electronic applications