Reyhan Baktur, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering, is head of nine research projects that she crafted with the intent to make antennas transparent to light, as well as make them smaller, less expensive, and multifunctional.
The success of her research increases satellite communication by providing antenna technology that is amongst the most versatile and affordable of communication methods.
The antennas in her research track everything from fish, to wireless Internet, to satellites in outer space. Baktur discovered the great benefits that could come with the successful development of optically transparent antennas. The National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Baktur’s collaborative project “Optically Transparent Antennas” with $292,000 to support the development of a product with the potential to absorb cell light and convert it into energy. The transparency of this antenna allows direct integration with solar cells without reducing solar power. These antennas are used to power and send signals to and from homes, vehicles, cell phones, radios and space vehicles. Ph.D. student Tursunjan Yasin and M.S. student Jesus Aurilano assist Baktur in this project.
Unlike any of her other projects, Baktur collaborated with
USU’s Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) to design lightweight antennas that easily attach to unmanned aerial vehicles, and are used to track migrating fish in rivers. A $20,000 grant from the water lab--in conjunction with the NSF--funds the development of these antennas which are two-dimensional and printed on transparencies with a low-cost Inkjet printer. Not only does this make the antennas lightweight, it makes them extremely affordable. Normally, printers capable of producing antennas cost nearly $40,000 while an Inkjet printer can be purchased for about $100. The success of this project will make fish tracking more efficient and accurate.
USU students snagged top recognition in The 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting for presenting a paper on Baktur’s research idea “Electronics Integrated with Antennas,” which combines electronics’ antennas and amplifiers, ultimately making electronic equipment faster and less costly to produce. Baktur is currently establishing collaboration with Brigham Young University to carry out the project. Another project in the making deals with studying the complicated plasma matter that exists around space satellites, which is necessary to fully understand how the satellite functions. Baktur, along with electrical and computer engineer Charles Swenson, will aim to work with NASA to fund this research.
With a 5-year grant of $160,000, funded by
USU’s Space Dynamics Lab, (SDL) Baktur is conducting a project titled
“Conformal Integrated Solar Panel Antennas,” which relates to the previous electronics project. The research will construct a small satellite that does not rely on traditional antennas to operate. Often, these antennas will pop open when in orbit, and the loss of the satellite is costly. Baktur’s newly developed satellites will function without the traditional wires, preventing situations when the wires could malfunction. Four M.S. students are involved in this project including Tim Turpin, Mahmoud N. Mahmoud, Tosin and Maugalem Chamdak.
Due to Baktur’s relationship with USU’s own Space Dynamics Lab, her project “Reconfigurable Solar Panel Antennas” became a reality. Her project granted $20,000 has researchers making great strides toward creating solar panel antennas the have the capability to keep working well beyond their first use. This will be made possible by adjusting the solar panel to its purpose requirements via the simple flip of a switch. The success of this project suggests less money will be spent on solar panel antennas because of their lengthened life span. Military connections have also showed interest in Baktur’s work, namely the U.S. Navy, who funded her project “Conformal UHF Antennas for Small Satellites” with $25,000. The outcome of this project could promise a proportionally small antenna capable that stays fully functional in low frequency spaces.
Reyhan Baktur, PhD
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Utah State
University
4120 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-4120
Office: EL
150
Phone: (435) 797-3054
Fax: (435) 797-3054
Email: breyhan@engineering.usu.edu
