Search

Magneto-dielectric antennas (MDAs) provide small sizes, enhanced bandwidths, and frequency/polarization agility. We describe the fabrication and efficiency characterization at 0.4–0.8 GHz of five microstrip MDAs, whose gradually thicker substrates were 3D-printed using an off-the-shelf polylactic acid (PLA) filament doped with ferromagnetic particles. It was experimentally discovered that efficiency increases monotonically from 12% (−9.2 dB) to 37% (−4.3 dB) as substrate thickness goes from 1.6 to 4.3 mm; the rate is faster than expected for microstrip antennas. Numerical analysis indicated that the apparent magnetic loss tangent of the MD substrate experiences a threefold decrease as the 3D printer deposits more layers of iron-doped PLA. The MDAs exhibit radiation quality factors that are 3.7–7.2 times better than the dielectric counterparts. Moreover, a simple optimization of ground plane size could increase efficiency to 55% (−2.6 dB). The reduction in magnetic loss is attributed to a reduction in eddy current loss due to the separation of agglomerate iron particles. Therefore, despite the inherently lossy material used, the potential of 3D-printed MD substrates in providing acceptable antenna efficiencies is demonstrated together with unprecedented design freedom and fabrication flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this article, we describe recent advances regarding a novel microwave imaging system intended to be used for in-depth inspection of breast tissues. The system is made of a circular five-element antenna array surrounding the breast that can be moved axially to perform a scan of the entire breast. The performance of the system is studied, both numerically and experimentally with a realistic anthropomorphic breast phantom, as a proof of concept of its fast and accurate screening ability to detect tumor-like inclusions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:6-10, 2017 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]