| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C520300/1 |
| Title: |
Advanced Microwave Devices For Frequency-Agile Applications |
| Principal Investigator: |
Lancaster, Professor M |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Electronic, Electrical and Computer Eng |
| Organisation: |
University of Birmingham |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
28 November 2005 |
Ends: |
27 May 2009 |
Value (£): |
210,332
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Electronic Devices & Subsys. |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
| Microsystems |
RF & Microwave Technology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Describe the proposed research in a style that would be accessible to an interested 14 year old [up to 4000 chars)The aim of this research programme is to develop tuneable microwave devices based on thin films of barium strontium titanate. This ferroelectric material has the attractive property that the electrical permittivity may be changed, or tuned, by application of an electric field. This allows varactors, or variable capacitors, to be fabricated. These varactors may be incorporated into a circuit which acts as a tunable filter.Three Universities are involved, Heriot-Watt, Birmingham and Cranfield. The devices will include continuously tumble bandstop fitters and a switch. These devices are chosen as they are of interest to industrial partners with real systems applications in mind. Two methods of producing the thin films will be investigated. Pulsed laser deposition, will be used by the group at Birmingham University. This method is ideal for rapid prototyping of materials and devices and for quickly identifying key issues in materials science which need to be addressed to produce high-performance material. Sol-gel processing will be carried out at Cranfield University. This method is capable of to producing films over wafers several inches in diameter and so more suited to commercial exploitation. However the technique is currently less developed than the pulsed laser deposition route. This project will allow the Cranfield group to make considerable advances in sol-gel processing. The devices will be designed jointly by the three groups, Heriot-Watt and Birmingham leading the design and testing of the continuously tuneable devices and Cranfield leading the design of the switched devices. Novel device architectures are proposed, including the use of discrete varactor structures and microsmachining of the substrate, all to reduce the electrical losses whilst maximising the tuneability. At all stages in the project there will be regular and frequenct project meetings to ensure the necessary data and samples flow between the partners and that the overal programme is on schedule.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bham.ac.uk |