Shrinky‐Dink millifluidics‐based continuously reconfigurable dielectric liquid‐assisted microstrip patch antenna

Abstract

AbstractReconfigurable dielectric liquid‐assisted antennas provide a solution to the need for multifunctional antennas that can service the multiple frequency bands required for modern wireless communications. However, fabricating these reconfigurable antennas requires complex processes that lack the potential for more compact designs. In this study, a novel continuously reconfigurable dielectric liquid‐assisted microstrip patch antenna fabricated with a Shrinky‐Dink millifluidics‐based substrate is designed, fabricated, and characterized. Shrinky‐Dinks are prestretched polystyrene sheets that can have patterns cut into them before shrinking under heat to form a millifluidic channel. By filling the millifluidic channel with differing amounts of water, a microstrip patch antenna fabricated on top of the rigid polystyrene substrate can be continuously reconfigured from 4.70 to 5.16 GHz with a bandwidth of 660 MHz. The fabrication process demonstrated in this study provides a path forward to produce reconfigurable dielectric liquid‐assisted antennas with smaller footprints, as well as other reconfigurable radiofrequency and electronic devices and components.