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Wheels (and wings):
Stealth technology gets a new edge from a flat antenna lens that thinks it's curved

UK scientists from BAE Systems (Bristol) and Queen Mary University (London) have seemingly defied the laws of physics by creating a novel composite material that has been used to manufacture a new type of antenna lens.

The breakthrough could revolutionize the design of aircraft, ships, radios, and satellite dishes -- potentially any product that uses an antenna.

Using a concept known as "transformation optics" combined with this new artificially engineered composite material known as a metamaterial, the electromagnetic properties of a curved lens have been emulated in a flat panel while retaining the same broadband performance. Metamaterials are engineered materials that have properties that may not be found in nature. The new composite metamaterial's flat antenna lens could be embedded into the skin of an aircraft without compromising aerodynamic performance, representing a major leap forward from current airborne antennas.

"It's possible in the future that this research could contribute to the production of even smaller or discrete antennas. This could be useful in all walks of life from telecommunications to healthcare," says Professor Yang Hao from Queen Mary's School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science.

BAE Systems is the first company to successfully create a functional composite metamaterial designed using transformational optics that allows a flat lens to perform like a traditional curved lens without any reduction in bandwidth performance. Transformation optics is a concept that allows for control of light or electromagnetic radiation in novel ways.

Metamaterials can do things beyond the reach of natural materials and are of significant interest to the scientific community. While traditional metamaterials only operate over narrow frequencies when used in antennas, the new composite material has a greatly extended bandwidth performance. When both transformational optics and the composite materials are applied to antenna design, they have the potential to greatly enhance performance and bandwidth without the need for large dished reflectors or curved lenses.

"The technology developed could lead to us to think differently about aircraft design as well as lowering radar cross-sections, provide weight savings, or allow miniaturization of integrated components," says Dr. Sajad Haq from BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Center in Bristol. "Traditional metamaterials suffer from limited bandwidth, whereas the new composite metamaterial we have developed for this antenna does not. The project is a great example of academic and industrial collaboration, illustrating perfectly what can be achieved with the right partnerships and skill set."

BAE Systems has an open innovation approach to research and technology and forges mutually beneficial relationships across industries, markets, small businesses, and academia to develop the latest and best technologies. By partnering with Queen Mary London, the research will help BAE Systems to develop sensor and communications systems and understand what impact emerging technologies such as transformation optics and novel nano-materials will have on the defense, security, and aerospace sector.

BAE Systems is now working with the university to explore additional potential applications and exploitation of transformational optic designs using the novel metamaterials for antennas and other disruptive technologies.

Source: BAE Systems

Published May 2014

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