Antenna efficiency and match manipulation using metamaterials

This PhD studentship is will be awarded as part of the EPSRC Centre of Doctoral Training in Metamaterials (XM2) in the College for Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences on the Streatham Campus in Exeter. Its aim is to undertake world-leading research, while training scientists and engineers with the relevant research skills and knowledge, and professional attributes for industry and academia.

The studentship is funded via the EPSRC Industrial Cooperative Awards in Science & Technology (CASE) scheme, via a grant awarded to Leonardo. The successful applicant will be registered on the XM2 programme of study and follow that assessment and training programme. He or she will normally be required to undertake regular reporting and visits to the sponsor. The student will not have the flexibility to change topic after the initial 6 month project. For more details about the Industrial CASE scheme, see https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/coll/icase.


Statement of Research

This project will investigate the use of metamaterials for optimising antenna performance. The antennas of interest are very broadband covering tens of GHz similar to antenna types used by Leonardo for airborne defence purposes. The novelty of this studentship is in the application of metamaterials to optimise the antenna performance. This can take the form of improving antenna efficiency and/or match across the full antenna bandwidth or in selected parts of the bandwidth. It is quite possible that active or reconfigurable metamaterials are investigated or developed in the course of the studentship. The metamaterial will almost certainly form an intimate part of the overall antenna structure. Polarisation manipulation (to maximise the efficient use of the antenna aperture) is also of interest and within the scope of the project. In defence applications, radar cross-section (RCS) can also be important and so will also be considered for favoured antenna and metamaterial options.

External supervisor: James Dalley

Industry partner: Leonardo