RF surface wave attenuating dielectric coatings composed of conducting, high aspect ratio biologically-derived particles in a polymer matrix
First Claim
1. A covering composite for an antenna platform of an antenna array for providing isolation of radiating and receiving antennas of the array, said covering composite comprising a polymer matrix and a plurality of conductive microtubules dispersed within said matrix, said composite having a percolation threshold and said microtubules being dispersed at a volume loading density expressed as the percentage of the volume of the microtubules with respect to the volume of the polymer matrix of no greater than (X−
- 1)% where X % is the volume loading density corresponding to percolation threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coating composite is provided for a platform surface of an antenna array for, when applied to the platform, affording isolation of radiating and receiving antennas of the array. The coating composite includes a plurality of conductively coated elongate tubes dispersed in an insulating polymer matrix at a volume loading density approaching that at which the composite begins to conduct electrically over macroscopic distances, i.e., close to the percolation threshold. The tubes are preferably comprised of microtubules comprised of biologically-derived, high-aspect rod-shaped particles of microscopic dimensions having an electroless plated metal coating thereon.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A covering composite for an antenna platform of an antenna array for providing isolation of radiating and receiving antennas of the array, said covering composite comprising a polymer matrix and a plurality of conductive microtubules dispersed within said matrix, said composite having a percolation threshold and said microtubules being dispersed at a volume loading density expressed as the percentage of the volume of the microtubules with respect to the volume of the polymer matrix of no greater than (X−
- 1)% where X % is the volume loading density corresponding to percolation threshold.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- 6. In an antenna platform including antenna array comprising at least one RF radiating antenna and at least one RF receiving antenna separated from said RF radiating antenna so as to define a space therebetween, a composite disposed in the space between said at least one radiating antenna and said at least one receiving antenna for providing electrical absorption of RF energy so as to provide isolation between said antennas, said composite comprising a plurality of conductively coated insulating tubes dispersed in an insulating polymer matrix, wherein said tubes comprise microtubules comprised of biologically-derived, high-aspect ratio rod-shaped particles of microscopic dimensions having an electroless plated conductive coating thereon.
- 10. A coating composite for a platform surface of an antenna array for, when applied to the platform, providing isolation of radiating and receiving antennas of the array, said coating composite comprising a plurality of conductively coated elongate tubes dispersed in an insulating polymer matrix at a volume loading density below that at which the composite begins to conduct electrically over macroscopic distances wherein said tubes comprise microtubules comprised of biologically-derived, high-aspect ratio rod-shaped particles of microscopic dimensions having an electroless plated conductive coating thereon.
Specification