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MURI Research Description and Goals
It is well-recognized that material design is the last frontier in developing
novel antenna configurations for the much smaller and network-centric
future military platforms. However, unlike traditional antenna design
approaches based on surface metallization (where an experienced antenna
designer can bypass formal design tools), exploitation of novel engineered
material volumes for antenna design can only be realized with computational
tools that are fast and robust for practical integration with formal topology
optimization (design) methods. The computational burdens for accurate material
modeling that may contain micro-, meso- and even nano-volumetric
inhomogeneities is well-recognized. Suitable modeling is therefore necessary to
reliably capture the propagation characteristics within such media.
The goal of this MURI research is to develop analysis and computational methods
to design antennas using novel engineered materials with extraordinary
properties, and to evaluate their performance both in isolation and in-situ.
To carry out this research our team is comprised of researchers experienced (1)
in the theory of material behavior and design of novel composites for antenna
and other RF related applications; (2) on finite and integral computational
methods (time and frequency) for large scale applications, (3) on topology
optimization methods specific to antenna design and (4) antenna engineering
(practical know-how, fabrication and testing).
Our team will carry out research in the following areas:
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Physical Understanding of Unidirectional or Magnetic
Photonic Crystals
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Numerical Algorithms for Complex Materials (Metamaterials,
Exotic Crystals)
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Design Methods
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Applications
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