P. Anacleto

3D small antenna for energy harvesting applications on implantable micro-devices

This paper reports a 3D small micro-antenna suitable for energy harvesting applications in the low gigahertz regime to supply 1μW power to small, implantable medical device. The micro antenna is designed to envelope a 500 × 500 × 500 μm³ implantable device and simulated as embedded in 5 × 5 × 5 mm³ of muscle tissue. The proposed antenna was fabricated by combining planar photolithography and surface tension driven self-folding techniques in order to achieve the desired 3D profile.

Self-folding microcube antennas for wireless power transfer in dispersive media

One of the critical challenges in engineering is the wireless transfer of energy to power miniaturized electronic devices that have sizes smaller than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. Here, we describe a strategy to self-fold three-dimensional (3D) low gigahertz responsive antennas with small form factors using capillary forces. The antennas are sub-millimeter (500 × 500 × 500 (m3) cubic devices with small form factors and hollow free space in their interior which could be used to embed other devices. We characterize and demonstrate the efficacy of these antennas in dispersive media. Remarkeably, we observe significantly higher power transfer with over an order of magnitude higher transfer efficiency as compared to similarly shaped planar antennas. Moreover, we show that the antennas can transfer on the order of 30 mW to power an LED, highlighting proof of concept for practical applications. Our findings suggest that self-folding polyhedral microantennas could provide a viable solution for pow...

Micro antennas for implantable medical devices

Implantable devices are becoming smaller and smaller, making possible new solutions for the current challenges in medical diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. These implantable solutions may rely on miniaturized devices that can be controlled and powered via wireless communications. Due to the high degree of system miniaturization very small antennas are required pushing the communication range to the high frequencies domain. Nevertheless, since human body tissue attenuation increases with frequency it is challenging to obtain an efficient wireless link. This paper reports the design of micro-device integrated antennas suitable for energy harvesting applications. These devices, and integrated antennas, can be fabricated by combining self-folding methods with conventional multi-layer lithography, allowing precise patterning of two dimensional templates that can transform into three dimensional antenna with wireless capabilities.

Multifunction antenna for compact wireless electrophysiological monitoring devices

This paper shows an antenna solution for use on electrophysiological monitoring devices with three different purposes. It may be used for wireless communications, wireless charging, and as an electrode or on top of it.