Potential problems in antenna design as mobile devices continue to be downsized may be overcome thanks to a high-dielectric resin developed by Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics (MEP, Tokyo / Japan; www.m-ep.co.jp/en).

As smartphones and tablets shrink in size, so does the space available for the antenna used for wireless communications. The high permittivity of the material – the measure of the resistance that is encountered when forming an electric field – means that a miniature antenna can now be designed using the resin, which is available either as polycarbonate or modified-polyphenylene ether (PPE) as a base resin.

MEP says the materials are easily injection moulded and offer good dimension stability. The company plans to launch two PPE-based grades – "HD7006" and "HD7007" – that it says set themselves apart by means of mechanical properties like their e-module. MEP is also introducing PC-based "PCR140045", "PCR140084" and "PCR140085", whose MFR ranges from 6.8-11.8 g/10 min and which boast different impact resistances.