Advanced Concepts and Material Solutions for Conformal Antennas

This Phase I SBIR program will be used to demonstrate advanced simulation, materials and fabrication processes for conformal antennas enhanced by the addition of substrates and superstrates with customized permittivity, permeability and through the application of metamaterials. To accomplish this task, NanoSonic has created a team with a unique combination of engineers, chemists and materials scientists capable of design, simulation and production of this product. In Phase I NanoSonic would consult with the antenna group of a major defense contractor in designing a multiband metamaterial enhanced antenna for conformal implementation on Navy platforms. NanoSonic would also examine antennas for conformal application using processes that are related to those used to create Metal Rubber™ and a unique inkjet patterning process for antenna fabrication. Unlike sputter coating, Metal Rubber™ materials can be applied to severe doubly curved surfaces without de-bonding or cracking. Finally, unique customized permeability substrates would be developed, constructed and tested. The NanoSonic PI is antenna engineer with many years experience in both hardware implementation and simulation software construction. In creating and simulating the design, NanoSonic would leverage current programs in computational electromagnetics to perform detailed simulations of the antenna.