Carbon Nanotube Antennnas

It is the purpose of this Phase I STTR program to both demonstrate proof of concept of long nanotubes as receiving and transmitting microwave antennas, and to develop detailed simulation tools to predict their performance and determine the optimum geometry. This will build on four years of UC Irvine experience fabricating mm long individual single walled carbon nanotubes, and pioneering theoretical work by the two groups that have simulated nanotube antennas from an RF engineering point of view. If successful, this will lead to work on developing techniques to economically fabricate optimized antennas, including arrays. The work plan will involve close coordination of all participating institutions. RF Nano work will proceed according to standard processes it is currently developing. UC Irvine work will involve laboratory measurements of antenna performance. UWM work will involve simulation for the control experiments and possibly new electrode or nanotube antenna designs. The work will be divided into 4 tasks: Task 1: Manufacture prototype ultralong nanotube antennas (RF Nano Corporation Lead) Task 2: Demonstrate nanotube antenna (UCI lead) Task 3: Demonstrate wireless bio-sensor and RFID proof of concept (UCI lead) Task 4: Simulate effects of substrate, feed electrodes (UWM lead)