Science Daily February 13, 2023
Reconfigurable electromagnetic devices, specifically reconfigurable antennas, have shown to be integral to the future of communication systems. However, mechanically robust designs that can survive real-world, harsh environment applications and high-power conditions remain rare. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have developed the general framework for a field of both discrete and continuously mechanically reconfigurable devices by combining compliant mechanisms with electromagnetics. They demonstrated a reconfigurable compliant mechanism antenna which exhibited continuously tunable performance across a broad band of frequencies. Three additional examples were also introduced to showcase the versatility and advanced capabilities of compliant mechanism enabled electromagnetic devices. Unlike previous approaches, this was achieved with minimal part counts, additive manufacturing techniques, and high reliability. Their work shows how compliant mechanisms have the capacity to transform the broader field of reconfigurable electromagnetic devices… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Overview of how the field of compliant mechanisms integrates into reconfigurable antenna and electromagnetic device technology. Credit: Nature Communication, 14, 683 (2023)