Elastic dipole antenna prepared with thin metal films on elastomeric substrate

The manufacture and characterisation of an elastic dipole antenna that is reversibly deformable and stretchable is described. The metallisation technique of depositing sub-micron-thick gold (Au) film on pillar patterned elastomer polydimethylsiloxane has been developed for elastic antenna applications. Under strain, the gold films may be stretched to 20% elongation, hundreds of thousands of times with reasonable electrical conduction. The dipole antenna based on this technique can withstand 10% strain and return to its original state after removal of the applied stretch.