Characterization and fabrication of multifunctional graded dielectrics through additive manufacturing

Abstract

The ability to fabricate multifunctional devices that combine good structural properties with embedded electromagnetic functionality has many practical applications. These include, but are not limited to, antireflective surfaces for structural radomes, load bearing conformal antennas, integrated RF transmission lines, and passive beam forming networks. A custom made 3D printer, made here at the University of Delaware, is capable of printing high dielectric constant ceramic powders within a low-loss structural composite substrate resulting in mechanically robust parts with integrated graded dielectric properties. The first part of my thesis will evaluate the anisotropic dielectric properties that result from powder printing. A number of samples were fabricated and used to determine the complete permittivity tensor of the printed samples as a function of local powder weight. The remainder of the thesis will explain the designed and built systems that utilize the permittivity tensor. The results of these systems will demonstrate the accuracy of the established permittivity tensor and show the effectiveness of 3D powder printing.