Guest Editorial: Special Cluster on Advances in Reconfigurable Electromagnetic Devices

Abstract

Reconfigurable electromagnetic (EM) devices and antennas are critical for the success of future communication and defense systems. However, such devices often must meet strict mechanical and environmental survivability criteria, transmit at high-power levels, and operate in noisy environments, all while offering reconfigurability and, more desirably, multiple functionalities. Moreover, in many applications, there is competition within the available aperture for a multitude of instruments addressing various functionalities and frequency bands. Thus, there is a need for new and improved techniques to enable and greatly expand the range of device reconfigurability and multifunctionality. Fortunately, recent developments in RF materials, additive manufacturing [1], [2], [3], optimization [4], [5], and design techniques leveraged from other disciplines [6] have led to tremendous advancements in reconfigurable EM devices.