Simulation Study of Cylindrical Helical Antenna based on Liquid Metal

A novel technique of fluidic metal frequency reconfigurable antenna with adjustable shape was presented. The gallium indium liquid alloy (EGaIn) is wrapped in a highly stretchable elastomer with a cylindrical helical antenna as the prototype. The interfacial tension of EGaIn is increased (or reduced) by electrochemistry at EGaIn surface formed (or destroyed) oxide layer, and the capillary force is used to drive the EGaIn flow in the microfluidic channel. The antenna is continuously adjusted by DC low voltage to control the length of the radiation unit and realize the change of the resonant frequency of the antenna. The antenna is designed and simulated by ANSYS software, and a good input impedance matching is obtained. And the antenna can work in the frequency range of 0.75~1.25GHz with a gain of 5dB.