Additively Manufactured FHE-Enabled Antennas and Reconfigurable/Phased Antenna Arrays for Communications, Sensing, and Energy Harvesting

Recent advances in Additive Manufacturing (AM) are transforming the development of flexible and reconfigurable RF electronics, driving innovation in applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart agriculture, Industry 4.0, and smart cities. This review covers a decade of progress in AM for RF applications spanning MHz to sub-THz frequencies, with a focus on antennas, phased arrays, and RF modules designed to meet the demands of 5G/mm-wave and beyond. Key AM techniques, including inkjet and 3D printing, enable the creation of complex multilayer circuits and conformal, reconfigurable components on a wide variety of substrates. Additionally, origami-inspired RF structures, packaging solutions, and energy harvesting and sensing modules are explored, demonstrating AM’s potential for scalable, cost-effective, and multifunctional RF systems. The paper concludes with an outlook on the future of AM in RF electronics, envisioning continued advancements toward sustainable and adaptive communication ecosystems. Through this review, AM is highlighted as a critical enabler of next-generation, multifunctional, and energy-autonomous systems capable of supporting communication and sensing in a low-cost, adaptable, and environmentally sustainable manner.