Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
The paper 5G antenna developed by Chinese researchers uses photographic paper and copper ink, cuts costs by over 95%, and can expand embedded military naval communication
Chinese researchers have developed a paper 5G antenna for ships, made with photographic paper and conductive copper ink. The project cuts structural costs by over 95% and can expand military networks at sea.
Paper 5G antenna changes the design
The advancement was presented in a technical study from Liaoning University of Technology. The team designed a MIMO millimeter-wave antenna aimed at use on ships.
The main difference lies in the material. Instead of expensive and rigid electronic substrates, the scientists used photographic paper with a thickness of less than 0.3 mm.
-
The World Meteorological Organization issued a climate alert for April, May, and June 2026, indicating a global signal of above-normal temperatures in land areas and an increased risk of extreme heat around the world.
-
Forget the tablet or notebook at school: pencils and paper are making a comeback after students fail to reach basic reading levels; a decline in the PISA results raises global alarms and the government abandons screens to prioritize paper and pencils in classrooms in Sweden.
-
Xiaomi appears with the series 17 featuring a camera of up to 200 MP, 17.2x zoom, 1” sensor, Snapdragon 3 nm, 3,500 nits display, and a 6,330 mAh battery, but leaves Brazil out.
-
An astronaut spent 340 days in space while his twin brother stayed on Earth, and NASA found a “rejuvenating” effect, genes, microbiome, cognition, and immune system that revealed the biological cost of living outside the planet.
The paper was combined with conductive copper ink. This choice changes the structural cost of the paper 5G antenna and removes a barrier to large-scale adoption.
According to the study, the swap reduces the cost of components by over 95%. This opens up opportunities to apply the technology in scenarios that require extensive installation.
Naval coverage
5G antennas require high installation density, especially in complex environments like ships.
In these locations, there is interference, obstacles, and little available space to accommodate communication systems.
With low cost and flexible structure, the antenna allows for broader coverage. The researchers classify the system as a last-mile solution for naval communication.
In practice, the proposal aims to ensure stable connection between equipment and embedded systems. This meets the demand for networks capable of operating at sea.
Technological race
The context is linked to the technological race among navies. In various parts of the world, naval forces are trying to integrate 5G to improve command, control, and real-time data transmission.
The United States is following a different path. Projects from the U.S. Navy involve more expensive solutions, including contracts of up to $99 million for networks on around 140 ships.
The difference in approach is direct. While the U.S. bets on high-cost and complex systems, China is testing simpler, scalable, and cheaper alternatives to equip large fleets.
Scale and sustainability
With 5G networks, naval forces gain real-time communication, integration with drones and autonomous systems, and increased situational awareness in combat.
The practical result is faster military decision-making and greater operational capacity in dynamic environments.
The gain, however, is not just technical. The use of paper makes the component biodegradable, reducing environmental impact and disposal costs.
For the global scenario, the advancement signals a global change. Military technologies no longer rely solely on expensive and complex solutions and begin to incorporate low-cost models with high efficiency.
For Brazil, the implication appears indirectly. The country has an extensive coastline and depends on maritime surveillance to protect trade routes and energy resources.
In this context, cheaper solutions can enable broader modernization. The central data, however, is not just the antenna, but the innovation model based on cost reduction to implement defense technology at scale.
With information from O Cafézinho.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!