Mechanically Influenced Antennas for Strain Sensing Applications Using Multiphysics Modelling

Here we report highly flexible 3D antennas which leverage nonlinear compressive buckling to tune their operating frequency through 0 to 30% uniaxial or biaxial stretch /release of their elastomeric substrate. The proposed 3D designs are straightforward to fabricate compared to the existing direct 3D fabrication routes which makes them promising for strain sensing applications. By utilizing a soft silicone substrate and structural design of the conventional metallic materials, we have demonstrated two designs of 3D stretchable antennas: “Popup convoluted loop antenna” and “Popup multilayer dipole antenna”. Multiphysics simulation using FEA method is used to analyze the antenna models and the numerical results are in a good correlation with measurements.