Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

6-26-2015

Abstract

3D printing is attractive for antenna manufacturing for a few reasons including the ability to make complex designs realizable that may have previously been too costly or unmanufacturable and the ability to build conformal designs. The idea of 3D printing antennas is not new and has been researched in recent years. However the possibility of using 3D printed antennas for space applications has been researched very little. The harsh space environment makes material selection an important factor in designing for space applications. Depending on location of the orbit of interest, there are several factors that must be considered when dealing with space including, high vacuum, magnetic fields, electromagnetic radiation (UV rays, X- ray, and gamma rays), charged electrons and protons, and extreme temperatures. In this project 3 patch antennas were 3D printed out of ABS for use at 5, 10, 25 GHz. The antennas underwent testing to understand how the 3D printed ABS material would react in a space conditions. The materials were exposed to radiation and vacuum environment in order to simulate space conditions.

Keywords

3D Printing, Radiation Testing, Vacuum Testing, 3D Printed Antennas

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Electrical Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Gilmore, Mark

Second Committee Member

Tawk, Youssef

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