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US 10,122,072 B2Granted
Nanofabric antenna
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsAmir I. Zaghloul, Steven D. Keller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nanofabric antenna is provided. The nanofabric antenna can include a fabric and a plurality of conductive nanowires extending outwardly from the fabric with the conductive nanowires forming a random array of monopoles. In this manner, an antenna can be included as part of a piece of clothing and/or a piece of fabric used or worn by an individual.
Claims20
A nanofabric antenna comprising:
- a fabric formed of a plurality of flexible fibers;
- an array of antenna monopoles comprising a plurality of conductive nanowires that are carbon nanotubes configured to transmit and receive radio waves extending outwardly from the surface of said fabric in an approximately vertical direction and having random geometric undulations in their shape in the direction of their extension to provide randomness relative to the direction of incident radio waves;
- and
- circuitry connected to said fabric which is configured to provide and/or receive electrical signals corresponding to said radio waves.
1 more element
A piece of clothing having a nanofabric antenna outer layer, said piece of clothing comprising:
- a piece of clothing selected from a group consisting of a jacket, a coat, a shirt, a hat, and a pair of pants, said piece of clothing having an outer layer of fabric formed of a plurality of flexible fibers;
- and
- an array of antenna monopoles comprising a plurality of conductive nanowires that are carbon nanotubes configured to transmit and receive radio waves extending outwardly from the surface of said outer layer of fabric in an approximately vertical direction and having random geometric undulations in their shape in the direction of their extension to provide randomness relative to the direction of incident radio waves and to an applied alternating current,
- wherein said outer layer of fabric has a periodic aperture layer and a power reception layer, said plurality of conductive nanowires each having a base coupled through said periodic aperture layer to said power reception layer, and further comprises an integrated receiver, said power reception layer coupled and operable to transmit the alternating current from said plurality of conductive nanowires to said integrated receiver.
1 more element
A process for providing a fabric that serves as an antenna, the process comprising:
- providing a piece of personal clothing capable of being worn by an individual comprising a piece of fabric formed of a plurality of flexible fibers;
- forming an array of monopoles by attaching a plurality of conductive nanowires that are carbon nanotubes configured to transmit and receive radio waves to the piece of fabric, the plurality of conductive nanowires extending outwardly from the surface of the piece of fabric in an approximately vertical direction and having random geometric undulations in their shape in the direction of their extension to provide randomness relative to the direction of incident radio waves and to an applied alternating current so as to provide an antenna;
- connecting the fabric to circuitry configured to provide and/or receive electrical signals corresponding to said radio waves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.