The world of two-dimensional carbides and nitrides (MXenes)

A decade after the first report, the family of two-dimensional (2D) carbides and nitrides (MXenes) includes structures with three, five, seven, or nine layers of atoms in an ordered or solid solution form. Dozens of MXene compositions have been produced, resulting in MXenes with mixed surface terminations. MXenes have shown useful and tunable electronic, optical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties, leading to applications ranging from optoelectronics, electromagnetic interference shielding, and wireless antennas to energy storage, catalysis, sensing, and medicine. Here we present a forward-looking review of the field of MXenes. We discuss the challenges to be addressed and outline research directions that will deepen the fundamental understanding of the properties of MXenes and enable their hybridization with other 2D materials in various emerging technologies.

Preliminary Study on Fractal-Based Monopole Antenna Fabricated Using 3D Polymer Printing and Selective Electrodeposition Process

Modern wireless communication industries need high performance antennas having better connectivity, ultra-wide bandwidth, lightweight and miniaturized. The current design and manufacturing process for antennas have several limitations. This study aims to address some of the limitations of designing and fabricating modern radio frequency wireless antennas. The study proposes a combination of fractal-based monopole antenna design followed by fabrication using additive manufacturing and selective electrochemical deposition process. Multiple designs of monopole antennas are compared, and the performance testing showed that the three-dimensional fractal-based antenna design showed the highest performance. The results of this study would be extremely crucial for overcoming challenges of modern antenna technologies.