Cyclo Oléfin (Co)-Polymer (COP/COC) for the design of high frequency autonomous objects and sensors – COCORICO

We propose an innovative solution for a directive and autonomous transceiver sensors based on multifunctional polymer materials (Cyclo Olefin, COC/COP). The task is to analyse, design, manufacture and characterize the basic elements in order to obtain a final demonstrator of the proposed sensor. The objective is to gather information of an object which has the size of a shirt button located at a distance of at least 1 km or 2 km (or more). Target applications may be very different, both civilian and military. In the first approach, it can be a simple tag presence. In more advanced versions, it may be equipped with sensors, and thus able to provide additional information about its immediate environment. To achieve this objective, ie a significant range for a low footprint, we plan to use directional antennas in the millimeter frequency range. To do this, self-orientation of the object, probably indicated by a disk, a cylinder or a sphere enclosed in a frame female, will be in a preferred direction and known. This orientation is referenced to magnetic north using a magnet and a cons-weight. The idea is to design at the millimeter scale, a fully integrated autonomous sensor based on a boat compass, and able to communicate very effectively in a preferred direction chosen in advance. The multifunctional nature of the polymer COC / COP that we recommend, is that it will serve both to materialize antennas for the communication aspect, and lenses for energy independence. We plan indeed to "boost" the energy recovery, that could be done solar cells or thermogenerators. Due to the small size of the object and to the directivity of communication, this component will be very discreet. This project will be conducted primarily by a team of the Lab-STICC laboratory at the University of Brest (Université de Bretagne Occidentale), consisting of five persons. It will rely on a highly specialized network of service providers in different key areas addressed by this project. The technological part of the project will be essentially made in the Lab-STICC. Given the necessary equipment and the choice processes, the achievement will be considered at low cost. It includes electrochemical deposition of gold, the fabrication of 3D object and substrates COC / COP by micro-molding and shaping of special housings for micromachining of deferred items: solar cell, thermogéenerator, counterweight, magnet, millimetric transceiver...