China develops paper antenna for 5G warship upgrade, slashing costs
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Chinese researchers developed a low-cost, flexible 5G antenna using photo paper, potentially enabling widespread adoption on warships.
- The paper-based antenna significantly reduces material costs by over 95% compared to traditional substrates, offering a biodegradable and scalable solution.
- This innovation contrasts with expensive, high-end 5G solutions being explored by other navies, offering a potentially more accessible upgrade path for maritime communication.
A breakthrough in antenna technology from China promises to revolutionize naval communications. Researchers at Liaoning Technical University have engineered a flexible 5G millimetre-wave antenna using ordinary photo paper, slashing material costs by more than 95 percent. This innovation, detailed in the Chinese Journal of Ship Research, could remove a major hurdle to equipping China's vast fleet with advanced 5G capabilities.
The development is particularly significant given the global push for 5G integration in maritime operations. While Western navies, like the US Navy, are investing heavily in multi-million dollar high-end solutions, this Chinese approach offers a dramatically more cost-effective alternative. The use of readily available glossy photo paper and screen-printed copper paste, combined with its biodegradable nature, positions it as an ideal "last-mile" communication solution for the complex and demanding environment of ships.
This advancement underscores China's growing prowess in military technology and its ability to innovate rapidly in critical defense sectors. The publication in a domestic peer-reviewed journal highlights the confidence and progress within the Chinese research community. Unlike the often-opaque defense procurement processes in the West, this development, shared openly, suggests a strategic focus on leveraging domestic innovation for rapid, large-scale deployment, potentially giving Chinese naval forces a significant technological edge.
realise millimetre-wave communication antennas suitable for the complex environment of ships
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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