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Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until August 09, 2026
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Mechanical Deformation of Electronic Textile Antennas: Approaches and Validation
Author Info
Alharbi, Saad
ORCID® Identifier
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3072-2296
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1626252145794323
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2021, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Abstract
In this dissertation, we explore the intentional and unintentional mechanical deformation of electronic textile (e-textile antennas) as a means of either reconfiguring their performance or sustaining their original performance despite any structural changes. State-of-the-art techniques used for mechanically reconfiguring flexible antennas employ fragile conductive inks and/or copper tape. By contrast, our approach brings forward enhanced robustness and durability as attributed to the inherent strength of the e-threads. To facilitate folding along the creases while also providing Radio-Frequency (RF) performance close to that of copper, a graded embroidery process is brought forward. The grading scheme uses a density of 7 e-threads/mm on the antenna and a reduced density around the creases (as few as 1 e-thread/mm). Additionally, by embedding conductive e-threads inside programmable hard-magnetic soft substrates, we can programmably actuate the antennas using DC magnetic field. Antenna deformations that rely on magnetic actuation are a promising alternative to conventional complicated and labor-intensive reconfiguration approaches due to their design, fabrication, and operation simplicity. By embedding \gls{ndfeb} particles in soft silicone and by further coating e-thread antennas with the resulting flexible material, novel prototypes are brought forward that are characterized by a programmable polarity, stable magnetic properties, untethered actuation, a response speed that cannot be captured with a high speed camera (60 frames per second), reversible deformation, light weight, and extreme mechanical/thermal tolerance. Moreover, the state-of-the-art on wearables acknowledges that flexible antennas crumple and typically recommends placement on flat body areas to eliminate deformation. Here, we propose the first folding-independent e-textile antennas which (as opposed to folding-dependent antennas) maintain their performance despite underlying deformations. We, finally, compare the RF and \gls{sar} performance of folding-independent vs. folding-dependent antennas across a wide frequency range (0.915 to 5.8 GHz).
Committee
Asimina Kiourti (Advisor)
Niru Nahar (Committee Member)
Nima Ghalichechian (Committee Member)
Pages
143 p.
Subject Headings
Electrical Engineering
;
Electromagnetics
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Citations
Alharbi, S. (2021).
Mechanical Deformation of Electronic Textile Antennas: Approaches and Validation
[Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1626252145794323
APA Style (7th edition)
Alharbi, Saad.
Mechanical Deformation of Electronic Textile Antennas: Approaches and Validation.
2021. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1626252145794323.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Alharbi, Saad. "Mechanical Deformation of Electronic Textile Antennas: Approaches and Validation." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1626252145794323
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
osu1626252145794323
Copyright Info
© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.