New compound offers 3D printed alternative to metallic telecoms devices

These 3D printed products, created by combining MXenes with a polymer, can be used as an alternative for metallic counterparts and can make a vast improvement in communication technology, including elements such as antennas, waveguides and filters.

Waveguides are everywhere, yet most people don’t know what they are, said Dr Mohammad Zarifi, a researcher in UBC Okanagan’s Microelectronics and Gigahertz Applications (OMEGA) Lab.

Dr. Zarifi and his OMEGA team develop communication components that have a compatible performance to metal, but are 10 to 20 times lighter, less expensive and easy to build.

“In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, waveguides - a foundation in devices we use daily - are undergoing a transformative shift,” Dr. Zarifi, an Associate Professor with the School of Engineering said in a statement. “From the familiar hum of microwave ovens to the vast reach of satellite communication, these integral components have traditionally been made from metals like silver, brass and copper.”