3D-Printed Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective Wireless Platforms

Abstract

We present passive UHF RFID platforms composed of 3D-printed biodegradable plastic structures and conductive thread. Due to its flexibility, this extremely cost-effective and environmentally friendly wireless platform can be easily embedded into versatile structures. We evaluated the wireless performance of the tag fabricated from conductive thread both on a 3D-printed substrate as well as inside two 3D-printed layers. The read range of the tag on a 3D-printed substrate was around 6 meters between 860-960 MHz. Then, another layer was applied on top of the tag. Thus, the tag was left inside a 3D-printed platform, where it as protected from environmental stresses, such as moisture. The read range of this structure was still 6 meters throughout the global UHF RFID frequency band. Based on these initial results, these platforms show potential for unobtrusive identification and sensing solutions.