Engineering On The Edge

Sadly, the answer to every problem in life can’t be found in a spray can. This is something to which anyone that’s had the misfortune to try spray cheese can attest. For awhile, spray cans were nearly considered heralds of the apocalypse, thanks to the ozone destroying chlorofluorocarbons contained therein. How times have changed.

Chamtech Enterprises has developed a spray-on antenna that has the potential to fundamentally shift communications technology. Most standard communications technology still uses some form of copper wire to transmit or receive signals, in a similar fashion to how radio technology was first developed.

Chamtech's spray-on wireless antenna uses thousands of nano-capacitors. Courtesy of Chamtech.

The spray-on, wireless antenna developed by Chamtech uses thousands of nano-capacitors to achieve the same effect as copper. The nano-capacitors also require far less energy to transmit a signal and do so without a buildup of heat. This allows the spray to be used on nearly any surface. The company has successfully tested its antenna using a tree to transmit signals.

“Chamtech has developed simple and easy to use templates for customer RF use (HF, VHF, UHF and SHF) from 1 MHz through 6.4 GHz. Simply hold the template up and spray with three coats, apply the custom made connections, then link the coaxial end to the radio and it is ready to begin TX (transmission) and/or RX (receiving). Our antenna system is completely equipment agnostic and fully functional in under 10 minutes.” –Chamtech Enterprises

The landscape is littered with potential applications for the new technology. Because the spray antenna only requires a small amount of energy, it can be used nearly any place. Intelligence agencies have expressed an interest as the spray can be concealed with a thin layer of paint without affecting performance. Chamtech has even successfully tested the antenna under water.

Below you’ll find a video about the spray-on antennae.

Sources: Solve for X, Chamtech Enterprises