Low-cost, wearable, multifunctional antennas based on laser-induced copper for wireless information and power transmission

Antenna that enables the manipulation of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves (EMs) is an important component of wireless information and power transmission (WIPT) systems. However, antenna designs for wearable devices are challenging to realize due to the high-cost, single-function, low-accuracy manufacturing processes required. Here, we developed a flexible, multifunctional laser-induced copper-based antenna (LIC-antenna) for the WIPT. The LIC-antenna demonstrates high conductivity (0.2 Ω/sq), high mechanical flexibility, and high radiation efficiency (88%). The WIPT system achieves multifunctional applications in wireless power transmission (WPT), near-field communication (NFC), and frequency modulation (FM). The WPT system can achieve 46% transmission efficiency. Meanwhile, the NFC and FM can transmit wireless signals for content recognition and remote speech recognition (>30 m), respectively. Furthermore, volunteer identities and emotions can be identified using machine learning when the LIC-antenna wirelessly transmits voice signals. Consequently, this LIC-antenna demonstrates great potential for applications in WPT, human-machine interfaces, and artificial intelligence.