Transparent Epidermal Antenna for Unobtrusive Human-Centric Internet of Things Applications

The concept of optical transparency in antennas for epidermal electronics is demonstrated this work as a means improving the long-term comfort-of-wear level and possibly opening up wider range applications. In contrast to previous attempts, antenna achieved by employing dielectric conductive materials that are both transparent flexible (i.e., polydimethylsiloxane-transparent textile composite) via non-clean room procedure relatively simpler less expensive. To demonstrate concept, modified rectangular loop an arm-worn wireless sensing system operating at 868 MHz Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band designed. Through systematic numerical investigation, interesting radiation response result two opposing mechanisms loss revealed, which dictates specific design guideline when attached body compared free space. Two prototypes were fabricated with developed composite its non-transparent counterpart. Then, comprehensive characterizations comparing carried out, including return far-field tests on human forearm phantom, indoor connectivity using test subject. By showing similar performance between prototypes, study provides convincing demonstration applicability class capability enable context electronics.