Prof Ian Reaney DHH Case Study - University of Sheffield
Prof Ian Reaney DHH Case Study - University of Sheffield
Prof Ian Reaney DHH Case Study - University of Sheffield
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Sarantel Test Suitability<br />
<strong>of</strong> New Material for Novel<br />
Mobile Application in the<br />
Communications Sector<br />
Project partners<br />
EPSRC Knowledge Transfer Account,<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sheffield</strong><br />
Dr Ros Schwarz and Dr Simon Forster,<br />
Development Hot House Scientists –<br />
Materials characterisation, analytical<br />
chemistry, design <strong>of</strong> apparatus, protocol<br />
development.<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Materials Science and<br />
Engineering, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sheffield</strong><br />
<strong>Pr<strong>of</strong></strong>essor <strong>Ian</strong> <strong>Reaney</strong> and Dr Iasmi<br />
Sterianou - Ceramics and Composites<br />
Laboratory. Expertise includes the study<br />
<strong>of</strong> the structure and microstructure<br />
<strong>of</strong> electro-ceramic materials for<br />
sensor/actuator applications and<br />
dielectric resonators for microwave<br />
communications.<br />
Research &<br />
Innovation<br />
Services.<br />
KTA Development Hot House <strong>Case</strong> <strong>Study</strong><br />
Sarantel Ltd Dr Oliver Leisten, CTO and<br />
Founder (www.sarantel.com). Sarantel,<br />
designs high-performance, antennas<br />
for portable wireless applications such<br />
as gps systems, satellite phones and<br />
tablets. Sarantel products can <strong>of</strong>fer:<br />
clearer signal, better range and 90%<br />
reduction in signal radiation to the<br />
body, over competitor antennas. They<br />
can also be miniaturised making them<br />
suitable for MIMO technology (Multiple<br />
In/Multiple out) – where one item, e.g. a<br />
mobile phone, will be fitted with multiple<br />
antenna, each for different application,<br />
such as voice, bluetooth, gps, Wi-Fi,<br />
without interference.
Strategic need<br />
Recent research activity between the<br />
<strong>University</strong> and Sarantel had identified<br />
a new material with potentially suitable<br />
properties for the next generation <strong>of</strong><br />
miniaturised antenna. It was necessary<br />
to characterise the material with<br />
appropriate geometry and develop a<br />
production protocol as soon as possible<br />
to convince antenna manufacturers to<br />
invest in set up tooling, as part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
route to market.<br />
Technical request<br />
Simon and Ros were asked to fabricate<br />
true size ceramic components in the<br />
material: including designing the die,<br />
processing the materials to characterise<br />
for shrinkage and densification while<br />
maintaining the dielectric constant and<br />
developing a documented, repeatable<br />
process to deliver antenna cores with<br />
appropriate permittivity levels.<br />
Project activities<br />
The Development Hot House Team<br />
dedicated approximately 40 days on<br />
this project, including 50% laboratory<br />
work. After an initial literature review to<br />
familiarise themselves with the materials<br />
and application, they optimised the<br />
die design, sourced a supplier <strong>of</strong> die<br />
components, processed and tested trial<br />
pucks and final form antenna, testing and<br />
measuring the material at each stage, to<br />
ensure a robust and repeatable process<br />
that delivered the required output.<br />
Benefits<br />
• Development Hot House involvement<br />
provided a reliable resource to a<br />
time-dependant project.<br />
• Bringing together expertise from<br />
different disciplines, including:<br />
analytical chemistry, electro-ceramics<br />
and surface engineering, produced<br />
a unique team <strong>of</strong> problem solvers,<br />
equipped to understand the task,<br />
devise solutions and to validate<br />
findings.<br />
• Sarantel have benefitted from<br />
a continuous delivery from the<br />
<strong>University</strong>, between a gap in longerterm<br />
collaboration activities.<br />
• Continuity <strong>of</strong> work has been<br />
maintained following a detailed<br />
handover to the new researcher<br />
and the production <strong>of</strong> clear<br />
documentation.<br />
Contact us<br />
T: 0114 2221331<br />
<strong>Pr<strong>of</strong></strong>essor <strong>Ian</strong> <strong>Reaney</strong>,<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Materials<br />
Science and Engineering<br />
said: “The support from the<br />
Development Hot House has<br />
saved us over a year´s worth<br />
<strong>of</strong> work.”<br />
E: KTAenquiries@sheffield.ac.uk<br />
KTA website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/kta<br />
EPSRC website: www.epsrc.ac.uk<br />
EPSRC Impact World:<br />
www.impactworld.org.uk<br />
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KTA_<strong>Sheffield</strong>