HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Antenna-Boosting Materials Sought in Latest Challenge

A red audio waveform displayed on a black background, resembling a sound or seismic signal on a screen.

Summary of Challenge

Innovators are being invited to apply for HMGCC Co-Creation’s new challenge, focused on the latest developments in antenna technology.

National security needs antenna technology for communications systems which have to send data securely and discreetly – often when there is a lot of signal congestion.

For this reason, we need antennas to be able to function at many different frequencies, so they can be used reliably, even in busy environments.

To boost antenna performance, we want to hear from experts in materials and antennas, that could develop dielectric materials enabling ultrawideband antennas with frequency agility.

HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses for successful projects.

Context of Challenge

Antenna technology is critical for successful communications in national security and defence.

There is always a trade-off between many factors when designing antennas, including footprint available, transmitted bandwidth and energy efficiency. Recent publications have suggested that using novel, solid and uniform materials with frequency dependent dielectric constants could widen the bandwidth of antennas, giving many advantages.

HMGCC Co-Creation is launching this challenge to identify experts in the field who are developing, or could develop, ultrawideband antennas to a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 – technology basic validation in a lab environment.

The Gap

Patch antennas are commonly used in devices where low size and weight are key requirements. But there are several limitations to consider.

Dates

Eligibility

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.

Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.

How to apply

Please submit your application on the HMGCC Co-Creation website. Any queries please email Co-Creation@dstl.gov.uk and cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk.

All information you provide to us as part of your application will be handled in confidence.

Applications must be no more than six pages or six slides in length. HMGCC Co-Creation reserves the right to stop reading after six pages if this limit is breached. The page/slide limit excludes title pages, references, personnel CVs and organisational profiles.

There is no prescribed application format, however, please ensure your application includes the following:

Challenge documents