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Flexible, lightweight antenna developed for military
Looking to transform how wearable radio communications are sent and received, researchers in the UK have developed a fabric antenna that is flexible, lightweight and water resistant.
The prototype device is aimed at military applications such as search and rescue.
It can be applied to any garment, using a mass production process that is said to be quicker and cheaper than current methods.
"Monopole antennas are bulky, heavy and prone to breaking," said Professor Tilak Dias, who heads the Advanced Textiles Research Group at Nottingham Trent. "They also attract unwanted attention for the military during covert and secure operations. This new design solves such problems by being small, lightweight, flexible and weather resistant."
The device was developed over three years by a team from the universities of Nottingham Trent and Loughborough, with funding from the EPSRC.
