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Ultra-light antennas via charge programmed deposition additive manufacturing

Author

Listed:
  • Zhen Wang

    (University of California
    University of California)

  • Ryan Hensleigh

    (University of California)

  • Zhenpeng Xu

    (University of California
    University of California)

  • Junbo Wang

    (University of California)

  • James JuYoung Park

    (University of California)

  • Anastasios Papathanasopoulos

    (University of California)

  • Yahya Rahmat-Samii

    (University of California)

  • Xiaoyu Zheng

    (University of California
    University of California
    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

Abstract

The demand for lightweight antennas in 5 G/6 G communication, wearables, and aerospace applications is rapidly growing. However, standard manufacturing techniques are limited in structural complexity and easy integration of multiple material classes. Here we introduce charge programmed multi-material additive manufacturing platform, offering unparalleled flexibility in antenna design and the capability for rapid printing of intricate antenna structures that are unprecedented or necessitate a series of fabrication routes. Demonstrating its potential, we present a transmitarray antenna composed of an interconnected, multi-layered array of dielectric/conductive S-ring unit cells, reducing 94% mass of conventional antenna configurations. A fully printed circular polarized transmitarray system fed by a source and a Risley prism antenna system operating at 19 GHz both show close alignment between testing results and numerical simulations. This printing method establishes a universal platform, propelling discovery of new antenna designs and enabling data-driven design and optimizations where rapid production of antenna designs is crucial.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhen Wang & Ryan Hensleigh & Zhenpeng Xu & Junbo Wang & James JuYoung Park & Anastasios Papathanasopoulos & Yahya Rahmat-Samii & Xiaoyu Zheng, 2025. "Ultra-light antennas via charge programmed deposition additive manufacturing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-53513-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53513-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark A. Skylar-Scott & Jochen Mueller & Claas W. Visser & Jennifer A. Lewis, 2019. "Voxelated soft matter via multimaterial multinozzle 3D printing," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7782), pages 330-335, November.
    2. Haotian Lu & Huachen Cui & Gengxi Lu & Laiming Jiang & Ryan Hensleigh & Yushun Zeng & Adnan Rayes & Mohanchandra K. Panduranga & Megha Acharya & Zhen Wang & Andrei Irimia & Felix Wu & Gregory P. Carma, 2023. "3D Printing and processing of miniaturized transducers with near-pristine piezoelectric ceramics for localized cavitation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
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