Title:  Additive Manufacturing for High Performance 3D Printed Millimeter-wave Devices

Committee:

Dr. Manos Tentzeris, ECE, Chair , Advisor

Dr. Gregory Durgin, ECE

Dr. Andrew Peterson, ECE

Dr. Alenka Zajic, ECE

Dr. Suresh Sitaraman, ME

Abstract: The research within this defense demonstrates the use of hybrid additive manufacturing towards millimeter wave designs. The research demonstrated novel structures below 10-GHz, from microfluidic structures to mathematically inspired fractal and Voronoi structures. After integrating novel improvements to additive manufacturing, new millimeter wave compatible systems are demonstrated, including the integration of novel 3D printed packaging for mm-wave AoP systems. Heterogenous fabrication for conductor and dielectric designs enables flexible SIWs,  as well as demonstrate performance with the newly characterized materials (including additively manufactured BCB and PTFE) for next gen systems. Finally, novel gradient material structures that specifically are enabled with the use of additive manufacturing are demonstrated utilizing FDM and SLA processes for novel retroreflector topologies at mm-waves, ideal for tracking applications, including the demonstration of an omnidirectional Luneburg lens retroflector and a semi-flat Luneburg lens retroreflector for automotive radar uses, including markers for visually impaired self-driving vehicles.