Scalable 3D Graphene/Ceramic Coatings for High-Performance RF Electronics

Purpose and goal:

Complex 3D ceramic radio frequency (RF) electronic components play an important role in wireless communication technology, but the large surface roughness of industrial 3D ceramic substrates has become a limiting factor for further performance boost. This project will develop a scalable and low-cost graphene-enhanced ceramic coating process to smoothen the surfaces of complex 3D ceramic substrates and eliminate the present technical bottleneck to enable substantial advance of the present 3D ceramic RF electronic devices.

Expected results and effects:

This project will strengthen the present industry of telecom and smart electronics through providing high-performance 3D RF devices to enable new applications and improve energy efficiency. More importantly, it will pave the way to create a new value chain to extend the present ceramic coating industry from surface protection to electronics.

Approach and implementation:

This project involves three partners. Bright Day Graphene AB will explore graphene materials with optimal resistance to ceramic cracking. KTH will develop the graphene-enhanced dip coating processes to smoothen complex 3D ceramic substrates. Huawei Technologies Sweden AB will design and fabricate 3D RF components based on the smooth 3D ceramic substrates and test their electrical performance under various environments.