Recent advances in mobile communications have prompted significant research and development activity in miniaturized antennas. Mobile phones, global positioning and bluetooth communications systems operate in the microwave frequency range and require broadband antennas with omidirectional radiation patterns. The large number of U.S. patents on new antenna designs provides further evidence of the rapid market growth of this technology. New materials and antenna structures will be discussed for the 1 to 10 GHz range. Basic antenna design parameters, measurement, and simulation will be presented. Electromagnetic propagation in dielectric/ conductor structures is important for all antenna designs and are strongly effected by dielectric properties and waveguide geometry. New materials and packaging challenges for antennas will be addressed with emphasis ceramic and high-dielectric constant materials.

Dr. George B. Semouchkine graduated from the Saint-Petersburg State Technical University (former Leningrad Polytechnical Institute), College of Radioengineering, where he explored defect migration and electrical aging processes in rutile, barium titanium oxide and strontium titanium oxide. He extended his research interests to quantify the effects of phase boundaries by impedance spectroscopy and the study of electronic defects in metal oxide semi-conductor (MOS) devices. From 1983 until 1992, Dr. Semouchkine was Head of the Electron Devices Research Laboratory at the Saint-Petersburg State Technical University, where he continued his work on the effects of radiation induced defects and mechanical stresses on MOS structures. Dr. Semouchkine is presently at Penn State University and his work focuses on modeling techniques for patch, dielectric, and leaky wave antennas.

The Nittany Lion Inn is located at 200 W. Park Ave. on the corner of W. Park and Atherton Street (bus. 322). From the 322 bypass, exit at Penn State (Park Ave.). Turn left, pass the stadium, pass 3 more traffic lights and the Inn is on your left.

Nittany Lion’s famous lobster bisque, cold cut buffet, baked goodies for dessert, coffee, iced tea.

After the meeting, continue socializing as we tour the Penn State Earth & Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery. We will go to the museum as a group and hear an introduction to the museum by Andrew Sicree, curator. The EMS museum is a unique mineral museum. In additional to collections of rocks, minerals, and fossils totaling more than 22,000 specimens, the Museum maintains collections of glasses, ceramics, metals, plastics, synthetic materials, old mining and scientific equipment, and archaeological artifacts. Many of these specimens are on display while the others are available for research and educational purposes. The country’s most extensive collection of paintings and sculpture depicting mining and related industries is on display in the Museum. Also, the Museum houses the world’s most extensive collection of mineral properties exhibits. These "push-button" electro-mechanical exhibits demonstrating dozens of the electrical, optical, and physical properties of minerals and materials such as fluorescence, radioactivity, magnetism, conductivity, flexibility, tribo-luminescence, piezoelectricity, double refraction, resistivity, and much more.

For more information about the museum: https://www.ems.psu.edu/Museum/

When you call to make your reservation for the meeting, please indicate if you will attend the tour.

Ken Laker will be presenting a talk during the October 30^th meeting. The topic is to be announced at a later date via electronic email. A Senior and Fellow member application session is planned after the talk for those members interested.

jdk173@psu.edu

Volume 45 Number 3 September/October 2001