Welcoming Three New Dissertation Students to Our Research Group
1 October 2025
We are pleased to welcome three talented students to our research group for their dissertation projects this academic year. George, Dan, and William will be working on innovative topics spanning quantum computing applications, sustainable electronics, and advanced manufacturing techniques. Welcome aboard, folks!
Breakthrough in AI-Enhanced Chipless RFID Detection Published in IEEE JRFID
23 Auguts 2025
Our latest research has been published in the prestigious IEEE Journal of Radio Frequency Identification. This groundbreaking work, led by our dedicated collaborator Nadeem, represents a significant advancement in robust chipless RFID detection technology.
The work demonstrates a comprehensive design and implementation of an AI-enabled approach for detecting depolarizing chipless RFID (CRFID) tags. Through an extensive robot-based data acquisition system, the team collected an unprecedented dataset of 12,600 depolarised electromagnetic RCS signatures to train and validate advanced deep learning models. The research introduces two novel contributions to the field. First, a 1-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN) architecture that achieved an impressive RMSE of just 0.040 (0.66%) on unseen test data. Second, a hybrid 1D-CNN with Bi-LSTM and attention mechanism that reduced the error by 27.5%, achieving a test RMSE of 0.029 (0.48%). This marks the first reported comprehensive AI implementation for reliably detecting ID information from depolarized signals, while uniquely accounting for surface permittivity variations, tag deformations, tilt angles, and varying read ranges. This achievement demonstrates our group’s commitment to advancing IoT applications through innovative AI-enabled wireless sensing technologies. The full paper can be accessed freely here.
IEEE Sensors Journal Best Paper Runner-Up Award for RF Energy Harvesting Research
31 July 2025
We are glad to announce that our paper entitled “RF Energy Harvesting Techniques for Battery-Less Wireless Sensing, Industry 4.0, and Internet of Things: A Review” has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 IEEE Sensors Journal Best Paper Runner-Up Award. The paper presents a comprehensive review of cutting-edge RF energy harvesting techniques that enable battery-less wireless sensing solutions, with significant implications for Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things applications. The award will be formally presented during the Awards Ceremony at IEEE SENSORS 2025 in Vancouver, Canada, at the Gala Dinner on October 21, 2025.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the IEEE Sensors Council, the IEEE Sensors Journal judging committee, and especially Prof. Deepak Uttamchandani, President of the IEEE Sensors Council (2024–2025), for this esteemed recognition.
Successful BEng and MEng Degree Completions
2 July 2025
We are delighted to announce that Hannah and Jacky have successfully completed their BEng, and Caitlin has completed her MEng at Durham University, all achieving Upper Second Class (2:1) degrees. Their dedication to research and academic excellence has been remarkable throughout their studies. Hannah’s work on performance benchmarking of state-of-the-art sensors contributed to the successful completion of our EPSRC IAA project with P&G. Jacky’s research paved the way for transparent SPP-based metamaterial line exploration in our group. Caitlin’s innovative work on hexagonal mesh-based transparent conductive films has contributed to an accepted paper at the prestigious IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting (AP-S/URSI) 2025. We are proud of their research contributions to our group. Congratulations Hannah, Jacky, and Caitlin! Best of luck in your future endeavours!
Lead AI-RFID Special Session and Present Research at IEEE RFID-TA 2025
29 June 2025
We are excited to announce that, along with our Tyndall collaborators, we will lead a special session and present two papers showcasing cutting-edge advances in AI-enabled chipless RFID technology at the upcoming IEEE RFID-TA 2025 conference in Valence, France this October.
Our special session, ‘Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Innovations in RFID Technology: Challenges, Solutions, and Future Directions’, brings together leading researchers exploring the convergence of AI and RFID technologies. Within this session, we will present our paper entitled “1D-CNN Enabled Depolarizing Chipless RFID”. This work presents a breakthrough application of deep learning regression models to depolarised Radar Cross Section (RCS) measurements of custom 3-bit CRFID tags. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset of 12,600 electromagnetic RCS signatures, we developed and validated a 1-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN) architecture that, for the first time, reliably detects identification information from depolarized signals. The model demonstrates exceptional robustness by incorporating surface permittivity variations, tag deformations, tilt angles, and read ranges into its training, achieving an impressive RMSE of just 0.040 (0.66%) on unseen test data.
Additionally, our second paper, “Deep-Learning-Assisted Robust Detection Techniques for a Chipless RFID Sensor Tag”, has been selected as an invited presentation for the special session ‘Most Popular RFID Papers Recently Published on IEEE Journals/Transactions’, highlighting the significant impact of our work in the field.
Both research contributions are led by our dedicated researcher Nadeem, whose innovative approach to integrating artificial intelligence with RFID technology is advancing the frontiers of wireless identification systems. We look forward to engaging with fellow researchers and exploring collaborative opportunities in this rapidly evolving field at the conference.
Now in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Ultra-Miniaturized Implantable Antenna Advances Cardiac Pacemaker Technology
18 March 2025
Abdulwahab has developed a groundbreaking implantable antenna for next-generation leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs). The antenna features an ultra-compact volume of just 8.33 mm³ while delivering an exceptional fractional bandwidth of 152.7%, spanning from 0.67 to 5 GHz. This remarkable bandwidth—the widest reported for implantable antennas of this size—enables the device to operate across multiple critical frequency bands including ISM (0.915 GHz and 2.45 GHz), WMTS (1.4 GHz), and midfield (1.6 GHz). Through strategic integration of expanded ground plane slots, a C-shaped slot on the patch, and an inductive via, the design achieves an unprecedented balance of miniaturization and bandwidth capabilities, making it ideal for advanced LCP functionalities such as real-time monitoring and dynamic device programming. The full paper has been accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation and can be accessed here.
Innovation on Wearable Antenna for Cospas-Sarsat and GNSS Localisation is Published in IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation
12 March 2025
Our collaborative research led by Rais from Universiti Malaysia Perlis has resulted in a novel tri-band wearable antenna designed for marine life vests. The work addresses a critical design challenge in maritime safety by creating the first comprehensive flexible antenna solution that simultaneously operates in the Cospas-Sarsat emergency band (406 MHz) and both GPS/GNSS bands (1227 MHz and 1575 MHz) while maintaining circular polarization and excellent performance metrics on the human body. The full paper can be accessed freely here.
New Talent Joins Our Group for Innovative Capstone Projects
21 January 2025
We are pleased to welcome four promising students to our research group for their capstone projects this academic year. Shaoyang, Yiqi, Nan, and Zhihang will be working on cutting-edge topics in electronic engineering, each contributing to different aspects of advanced wireless technologies. Their projects showcase our group’s commitment to pioneering research in sustainable IoT, flexible electronics, and industry-relevant wireless technologies. We look forward to the innovative solutions and insights these talented students will bring to their respective fields.
Welcome aboard Shaoyang, Yiqi, Nan, and Zhihang!
PhD Opportunities Available: Join Our Research Group at Durham University
17 Dec 2024
We are seeking outstanding candidates to join our research group focusing on sustainable electronics, involving eco-friendly electronic materials exploration, chipless RFID tag and reader, reconfigurable RF components, and AI-assisted RF systems, among others. For Oct. 2025 entry, we have two fully-funded PhD opportunities through Durham’s competitive faculty-wide schemes. The Durham Science Studentship (DSS) offers full funding including international tuition fees, UKRI-rate living stipend and research costs for a 3.5-year program, with approximately 15 positions available across the Faculty of Science. Through Durham’s partnership with the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC), we also offer opportunities for Chinese nationals with full tuition fees covered by Durham, a monthly stipend, and travel/visa costs provided by CSC, for a 4-year program, with 8 positions available in the Faculty of Science.
Both opportunities require candidates with strong academic backgrounds and demonstrated research potential through publications, awards, or relevant research experience. Interested candidates should contact Roy via email by 3 Jan 2025 with a CV including publications/awards, a brief research interest statement, and academic transcripts. For more information about our research and team, please feel free to reach out.
Smart Health Integration for Next-Generation Vehicles: Breakthrough in Seatbelt-Based Monitoring Published in Sensors
20 November 2024
Our research collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark has developed a novel seatbelt-integrated sensing system that brings new capabilities to in-vehicle health monitoring. Led by Rifa, this research combines a flexible transmitarray lens with a 60 GHz FMCW radar sensor to achieve precise physiological monitoring. The system demonstrates reliable detection of heart rate, respiration, and seat occupancy across various driving conditions. By integrating beam-focusing metamaterial technology into standard seatbelt designs, this approach overcomes traditional monitoring challenges while maintaining high accuracy from stationary to bumpy road conditions.
The full paper has been published in Sensors and can be accessed freely here.
Breakthrough Miniaturized Antenna Design Enabling Advanced Leadless Pacemakers Accepted in IEEE TAP
14 November 2024
An innovative ultra-compact implantable antenna design, developed by Abdulwahab, sets new benchmarks in bandwidth performance for next-generation leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs). With a remarkably compact volume of just 9.44 mm³, this design achieves an impressive bandwidth of 3.39 GHz and a fractional bandwidth of 138%, covering multiple critical frequency bands from 0.76 to 4.15 GHz (including ISM, WMTS, and midfield bands). This groundbreaking advancement could enable transformative capabilities in future LCPs, from high-speed streaming of rich diagnostic data for continuous cardiac monitoring to supporting emerging features such as on-device processing of complex cardiac signals and secure over-the-air firmware updates. For more details about this groundbreaking antenna design, the full paper is available in the prestigious IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation and can be accessed here.
In-Band Full-Duplex Antenna Design Accepted in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
6 November 2024
Abdullah has developed a pioneering in-band full-duplex (IBFD) antenna system for wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) applications. This innovative design enables simultaneous transmission and reception of signals in the same frequency band, a significant advancement that enhances spectrum efficiency while eliminating the need for an external multiplexer. The antenna achieves an ultra-compact volume of 7.17 mm³ through the integration of semi-circular slots and shorting pins, featuring two identical semi-circular patches with separate ground planes. With an isolation level better than 28 dB between ports, the system demonstrates reliable two-way communication over distances exceeding 8 meters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first IBFD antenna designed specifically for WCE applications, marking a significant milestone in implantable antenna technology. The paper has been accepted for publication in the major journal in antenna field, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, and can be accessed here.
