Chilean University Improves the Manufacturing of High-Frequency Antennas

There would be no exchange of information in modern communication without one key device: antennas. Antennas are designed for the transmission and reception of signals in communication systems. Their design and development, complex as it is, continue to evolve to meet the increasing demands of communications. One example of the advances that continue to be made is an interdisciplinary project at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) in Chile. There, researchers have developed a less expensive and sustainable alternative for manufacturing high-frequency antennas using 3D printing.

The project is entitled: “Development of polymer-based composite pellets with particles and/or ceramics for the manufacture of telecommunication antennas by additive manufacturing.” Thus, the objective was to optimize a 3D printing process that meets all the requirements of high-frequency antennas. The researchers claim that, in this particular case, the material that showed the best characteristics was a combination of metal and ceramic in the form of pellets.

3D printed antenna components (Photo credits: PUCV Strategic Communication Department).

How Are Antennas Printed Using Pellets?

One of the highlights of this research was the production of pellets with a concentration of metal and ceramic particles of between 70% and 90%. The particle size was perfect for extrusion and the final product had ideal characteristics. In addition, the process proposed by the researchers allows the reduction of material losses, optimizes manufacturing times and improves printing standards through the use of artificial intelligence.

To test the feasibility of the new process, functional prototypes of high-frequency systems were printed with the combined metal-ceramic material. The prototypes were then tested for their physicochemical and electrical characteristics. In particular, debinding and sintering studies were performed to ensure that the structure held together during the polymer removal process. Project leader Dr. Dreidy Vásques reveals about the research: “Our proposal focuses on developing and analyzing these two types of materials, printing the parts, removing the polymer, and, finally, analyzing their properties to develop antenna prototypes.”

From left to right, Rodrigo Ruz, researcher and student in Process Engineering; Dr. Dreidy Vásquez, project director; and Dr. Francisco Pizarro, project co-director (photo credits: School of Chemical Engineering).

Seen from the ecological angle, the new manufacturing method would allow the reuse of thermoplastics or polymers, thus promoting a circular economy in the production of antennas. The project was completed at the beginning of September and the patent is now being developed, so the researchers are not yet able to disclose all the details of their work.

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