Engineers at the University of Maryland have developed a new type of radio antenna for automotive applications that has been described as impossible to break. The new material, a lightweight, plastic-like composite, possesses magnetic and dielectric properties and can be used to make antennas that can be formed into any shape.
“Imagine a trip to the carwash without that feeling of panic when you realize you’ve left your radio antenna up,” the researchers said in a statement this month. “That worry could become a thing of the past.”
But the concept goes beyond traditional antennas. It could also be used to make panels or enclosures into antennas. For instance, by making a cell-phone case out of this material, the case could then become the antenna, resulting in a smaller cell phone with better reception. (Radio-recieving BMW body panels, anyone?)
Peter Kofinas, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at UM’s A. James Clark School of Engineering, developed the material in a “chemistry shake-and-bake process� resulting in a self-organizing polymer containing nanometer-sized particles of two metals, iron and strontium.
“The new material will allow for more freedom in the creation of the next-generation of devices, which will have lighter, smaller, more efficient design and aesthetic appeal now that a straight, brittle metallic antenna does not have to be incorporated,â€? Kofinas says.
Kofinas’ work is still in the research stage, but the U.S. Air Force is interested in the material for use in protective covers for radar equipment and other types of shielding for electronics. The Air Force recently awarded Kofinas a $367,000 grant for further research.
04/30, 1:26 PM
posted by:
nikivee
My 72 GTO has the antenna built into the front windshield. No unsightly wire sticking out of your car.
04/30, 2:13 PM
posted by:
KissMyX
Antennas are for douchebags, I have a dish
04/30, 3:20 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
nice
04/30, 4:36 PM
posted by:
Count Dooku
does the SLK shown already have this kind of antenna??
04/30, 5:49 PM
posted by:
Len Silverstone
Yeah, I’m gonna have to agree with nikivee. The dipoles imbedded in the glass of the windshield work just fine. Those stupid whips are installed to keep manufacturing cost down.
04/30, 8:58 PM
posted by:
JW
I like the window idea better…but I must say I have a regular antenna and have never worried about my antenna being up while I’m at the carwash.
04/30, 9:03 PM
posted by:
Arne
“does the SLK shown already have this kind of antenna?”
You probably only read the title and looked at the pretty picture, otherwise you would have noticed that it’s still being researched.
04/30, 10:24 PM
posted by:
isaac
let me guess… this is going to show up in the producton cars 7 years from now.. .like everything else new and cool
04/30, 11:38 PM
posted by:
Count Dooku
“You probably only read the title and looked at the pretty picture, otherwise you would have noticed that it’s still being researched.”
DOUCHEBAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
04/30, 11:42 PM
posted by:
don
….
05/01, 6:00 AM
posted by:
ste
I LIKE 2 SUCK THE ****
05/01, 6:00 AM
posted by:
ste
ALOT
05/01, 9:51 AM
posted by:
E
My Audi has the antenna in the glass, and it works perfectly. I had a TrailBlazer as a loaner for a few weeks while my car was in the body shop… it had a huge antenna like the ones being described, and it had horrible reception, nowhere near the clarity of my Audi’s glass-embedded antenna. I couldn’t quite understand it.
05/01, 10:51 AM
posted by:
TW
My antenna are the “coils” that defrost the rear window. Works very well.
05/01, 2:42 PM
posted by:
MBT
Yeah… I don’t see this making it into cars even after it is in production. But I can see how this would be beneficial for radio equipment (see reference to military) as well as portable wireless devices. Cell phones (also mentioned in article) or wireless Network Adapters. Just think – laptop cover made of this material as your NIC’s antena. Same of the Access Points and such. Regardless of the fact that they are targeting the wrong market (for now) it will take off over time and make our life better one cell phone reception bar at a time.
05/01, 8:47 PM
posted by:
Ken Tsui
I don’t like the long antnenna on the SLK.
I rather a short one as on SL.