Flexible InteligenT NEar-field Sensing Skins

Introduction

The FITNESS project will realize flexible smart skins able to provide a non-contact sense of “touch”. The envisioned smart skins will operate at microwave frequencies, and the same device will also allow far-field communication.

Key Technology

The key technology enabling these functionalities is that of metasurfaces, i.e., structured surfaces that have unusual properties at some frequencies. In this case, they convey and manipulate surface waves, which can also be turned into radiating leaky waves for far-field communications.

Research Approach

The research follows a holistic and multidisciplinary concept targeting thin smart skins. The FITNESS project encompasses the following areas:

1. Synthesis of new low-loss flexible microwave substrates
2. Research on the embedded electronics
3. Analysis and design of metasurfaces on curved structures
4. Data analysis

Applications

The first demonstrator will be realized in the field of robotics, while later applications are envisioned in the medical area. Therefore, FITNESS will integrate ultra-low power operation from the beginning.

Device Functionality

The devices will essentially work through the measurement of the transmittance between a limited number of ports (sparse electronics), through surface waves following the shape of the smart skin which is wrapped around the robot or the body.

Work Packages

The work packages follow the main challenges toward the new technology:

• Sparse metasurfaces
• Curved metasurfaces
• Integrated metasurfaces
• Flexible metasurfaces

Societal Impact

One of the main societal outputs will consist of a more harmonious cooperation between robots and humans through the constant probing of their respective near-field environments.

Project Overview

This ambitious 48-month, 3.6 MEuros action gathers complementary key European experts from 4 EU countries, covering electromagnetics, electronics, materials, robotics, thermal aspects, and the necessary skills for appropriate management, communication, and exploitation. The project includes:

• 3 universities (5 research teams)
• 2 SMEs
• 2 research centers