Experimental characterization of Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) antennas for S-band wearable applications in 5G

Widespreading 5G communication in the Internet of Things demands for eco-friendly antennas to avoid e-waste. Graphene is one of the most innovative materials with low environmental impact. To overcome its manufacturing complexity, laser scribing techniques have been recently developed. By means of a high power CO
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laser, polymers such as Polyimide are converted into a porous form of Graphene (LIG). In this paper, LIG is experimentally characterized in DC under different environmental conditions. Then its radiative performances are investigated by comparing them with the same copper-based antenna for S-band wearable communications. Experimentation revealed that the LIG antenna is practically insensitive to even variable environmental conditions.