Fabrication Methods for Robust Origami Antennas

Undergraduate #460
Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Electrical Engineering
Session: 1
Room: Exhibit Hall A

Ernesto Enriquez - Florida International University
Co-Author(s): Jacob Garcia, Florida International University, FL; Muhammad Hamza, Florida International University, FL; Constantinos Zekios, Florida International University, FL; Stavros Georgakopoulos, Florida International University, FL.

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Origami antennas have recently been developed and they exhibit unique advantages, such as, performance reconfiguration and efficient stowing, [1]. These antennas are suitable for portable military and space applications, since they can be easily carried and effortlessly deployed. Deployment mechanisms and relevant actuation systems have also been developed to ensure robust and accurate mechanical operation of origami structures, [2]. Furthermore, substantial research has been done, [3], [4], to tackle these challenges and create origami antennas with enhanced electromagnetic and mechanical performance. This work focuses on the development of different fabrication methods for origami antennas, which can provide easy manufacturing, low cost, repeatable operation and enhanced electromagnetic performance. One of the main problems that work addresses is the deformation experienced by the creases of origami designs. The high stress that is accumulated on these areas as well as on the corners of a folded origami pattern makes the design susceptible to cracking after a finite number of folding/unfolding cycles. To solve this problem, different rigid materials are investigated that do not buckle and maintain their shape when folded. Flexible materials are also studied and utilized as interconnects and hinges between adjacent origami facets. Specifically, four general fabrication methods are developed. These include encapsulation of rigid materials in flexible media, multi-layered designs, incorporation of semi rigid materials such as polyimide, and integrations of these methods with 3D printing. Our fabrication methods are studied in terms of their durability, ease of production, and effects of the base materials to electromagnetic performance. To complete this comparison, a tapered horn antenna based on a modified Tachi-Miura origami is constructed using our fabrication methods. Also, an actuation mechanism is developed resulting in a functional design. This work is expected to serve as the foundation for fabricating existing and future designs of origami antennas. References: [1] X. Liu, et al., “Analysis of a Packable and Tunable Origami Multi-Radii Helical Antenna,” in IEEE Access, vol.7, pp. 13003-13014, 2019. [2] Zirbel, et al., “Accommodating Thickness in Origami-Based Deployable Arrays.” ASME. J. Mech. Des. November 2013; 135(11): 111005. [3] D. Sessions, et al., “Investigation of Fold-Dependent Behavior in an Origami-Inspired FSS Under Normal Incidence,” Progress in Electromagnetics Research M, Vol. 63, 131-139, 2018. [4] S. Yao, et al., “Morphing Origami Conical Spiral Antenna Based on the Nojima Wrap,” in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 65, no. 5, pp. 2222-2232, May 2017.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant EFRI 1332348 (which includes a REM grant), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under grant FA9550-18-1-0191.

Faculty Advisor: Stavros Georgakopoulos, georgako@fiu.edu

Role: I worked on the different fabrication methods and I also developed the actuation mechanism for the antenna.