Alford Chauraya is a University Teacher at Loughborough University and a Research Associate with the Wireless Communications Research Group within the School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering. His role as a University Teacher involves teaching and improving the university student experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels principally through e-learning mechanisms and practical activities. His current area of research is in the field of wearable electronics, focusing on integrating novel wireless functionality into clothing and textiles for communications applications. Alford has internationally recognised activities in the field of electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures with emphasis on reconfigurable antenna applications and optically tunable microwave devices.

His research work involves the design, analysis, and measurements of wearable electronic systems, optically controlled systems, and metamaterials for microwave and mmwave applications. He has published a number of refereed journals, conference proceeding papers, and a co-author of an antenna handbook in his areas of expertise.

Dr Chauraya's main field of research work lies in the development of textile antenna technology, high performance flexible, fabric electronics and optical control of electromagnetic structures used in various communication systems. Alford Chauraya has investigated the behaviour and performance of a number of microwave devices using simulation techniques and measurements. The primary goal is to demonstrate practical applications of compact wearable electronic systems, plus optical illumination in antennas, filters, resonators and metamaterials.

Dr Chauraya is also a Development Engineer of Antrum Ltd, a University spinout company, set up to commercially exploit specific research projects in the Wireless Communications Research Group (WiCR) at Loughborough University. He has been involved in a project funded by European Space Agency (ESA), investigating a Development of a compact and planar textile antenna for COSPAS-SARSAT applications.

Dr Chauraya provides both teaching and supervising responsibilities to students in practical activities in a laboratory environment.

Selected Publications

Book Chapters : HandBook of Metamaterials Vol 1, and Vol 11.

A. Chauraya, W. G. Whittow, J. C. Vardaxoglou, L. Yi, R. Torah, K. Yang, S. Beeby, and J. Tudor, “Inkjet Printed Dipole Antennas on Textiles for Wearable Communications,” IET Microwaves, Antennas Propag., vol. 7, no. 9, pp. 760 – 767, 2013.

R. D. Seager, A. Chauraya, S. Zhang, W. G. Whittow, and Y. C. Vardaxoglou, “Flexible connectors for fabric based systems,” Electron. Lett., vol. 49, no. 22, pp. 1371 – 1373, October 2013.

R. D. Seager, S. Zhang, W. G. Whittow, A. Chauraya, J. C. Vardaxoglou, T. Acti, and T. Dias, “Effect of the Fabrication Parameters on the Performance of Embroidered Antennas,” IET Microwaves, Antennas Propag., vol. August, pp. 1–8, 2013.

A. Chauraya, T. West, R. Seager, W. Whittow, S. Zhang, and Y. Vardaxoglou, “Positioner Effects in Measurements of Low-Medium Gain Antennas,” in Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA), 2013.

A. Chauraya, R. D. Seager, W. G. Whittow, S. Zhang, and Y. C. Vardaxoglou, “Embroidered Frequency Selective Surfaces on Textiles for Wearable Applications,” inLoughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference - LAPC, 2013.

S. Zhang, A. Chauraya, W. G. Whittow, R. D. Seager, T. Acti, T. Dias, and Y. C. Vardaxoglou, “Repeatability of Embroidered Patch Antennas,” in Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC), 2013, pp. 1–4.

S. Zhang, A. Chauraya, R. D. Seager, J. C. Vardaxoglou, W. G. Whittow, T. Acti, and T. Dias, “Fully Fabric Knitted Antennas for Wearable Electronics,” in IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI National Radio Science Meeting, 2013.

A. Chauraya, S. Zhang, W. G. Whittow, T. Acti, R. Seager, T. Dias, and Y. Vardaxoglou, “Addressing the Challenges of Fabricating Microwave Antennas Using Conductive Threads,” in The 6th European Conference on Antennas & Propagation (EuCAP), 2012.

S. Zhang, A. Chauraya, W. G. Whittow, R. D. Seager, T. Acti, T. Dias, and Y. C. Vardaxoglou, “Simulation Methodology to Model the Behavior of Wearable Antennas Composed of Embroidered Conductive Threads,” in 2012 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI National Radio Science Meeting, 2012.

S. Zhang, A. Chauraya, W. Whittow, R. D. Seager, T. Acti, T. Dias, and J. C. Vardaxoglou, “Embroidered Wearable Antennas Using Conductive Threads with Different Stitch Spacings,” in Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC), 2012.

J. C. Vardaxoglou, P. DeMaagt, W. G. Whittow, A. Chauraya, and R. D. Seager, “DUAL FREQUENCY FLEXIBLE ANTENNA FOR COSPAS SARSAT,” in 34th ESA Workshop on Challenges for Space Antenna Systems, 2012.

Vardaxoglou, Y.; Chauraya, A.; Athukorala, L.; Budimir, D., "Tuneable EBG phase shifters for antenna applications," Antennas and Propagation Conference (LAPC), 2011 Loughborough , vol., no., pp.1,4, 14-15 Nov. 2011

T. Acti, S. Zhang, A. Chauraya, W. G. Whittow, R. Seager, T. Dias, and Y. Vardaxoglou, “High Performance Flexible Fabric Electronics for Megahertz Frequency Communications,” in 2011 Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC), 2011.

W. G. Whittow, A. Chauraya, R. Seager, Y. Vardaxoglou, and P. de Maagt, “Wearable Circularly Polarised VHF Antennas for Emergency Applications,” in 33rd ESA Workshop on Challenges for Space Antenna Systems, 2011

Vardaxoglou, J.; Edwards, R.M.; Chauraya, A.; Bashir, S., "Compact and flexible surfaces using electromagnetic band gap (EBG)," Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP), 2010 Proceedings of the Fourth European Conference on , vol., no., pp.1,4, 12-16 April 2010

Vardaxoglou, Y.; Seager, R.D.; Riauka, N.; Chauraya, A.; DeMaagt, P., "Metamaterial based antennas with super- and substrates," Antennas and Propagation, 2009. EuCAP 2009. 3rd European Conference on , vol., no., pp.2862,2866, 23-27 March 2009.

Riauka, N.; Chauraya, A.; Vardaxoglou, J.C., "Wideband planar metamaterial inspired antenna analysis and design," Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 2009. APSURSI '09. IEEE , vol., no., pp.1,4, 1-5 June 2009.

Seager, R.D.; Chauraya, A.; Vardaxoglou, J.C.; DeMaagt, P., "Towards a compact low frequency woven antenna," Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 2009. APSURSI '09. IEEE , vol., no., pp.1,4, 1-5 June 2009.

Bashir, S.; Chauraya, A.; Edwards, R.M.; Vardaxoglou, J., "A flexible fabric metasurface for on body communication applications," Antennas & Propagation Conference, 2009. LAPC 2009. Loughborough , vol., no., pp.725,728, 16-17 Nov. 2009.

C.J. Panagamuwa; A. Chauraya; J.C. Vardaxoglou, "Antenna frequency and beam reconfiguring using photoconducting switches", IET Seminar on Wideband, Multiband Antennas and Arrays for Defence or Civil Applications, p. 55 – 60, January 2008.

Mulenga, C.B.; Flint, J.A.; Vaja, R.; Chauraya, A., "Measurement techniques for polar electromagnetic bandgap structures using an air spaced microstrip line,"Antennas and Propagation Conference, 2008. LAPC 2008. Loughborough , vol., no., pp.341,344, 17-18 March 2008

Riauka, N.; Chauraya, A.; Vardaxoglou, J.C., "Compact antenna integrated into flat plate FSS," Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 2008. AP-S 2008. IEEE , vol., no., pp.1,4, 5-11 July 2008.

Dong Hyun Lee; Chauraya, A.; Vardaxoglou, Y.; Wee Sang Park, "A Compact and Low-Profile Tunable Loop Antenna Integrated With Inductors," Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, IEEE , vol.7, no., pp.621,624, 2008.

Vardaxoglou, Y.; Dong Hyun Lee; Chauraya, A.; Flint, J.A.; Wee Sang Park, "Compact and Low-profile Frequency Agile Loop Antenna Integrated with Inductors,"Microwave Conference, 2008. EuMC 2008. 38th European , vol., no., pp.277,280, 27-31 Oct. 2008

D.H. Lee; A. Chauraya; J.C. Vardaxoglou; and W.S. Park, "Low frequency tunable metamaterial small antenna structure", 2nd European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2007), page 375, January 2007.

C. J. Panagamuwa, A. Chauraya, and J. C. Vardaxoglou, "Frequency and Beam Reconfigurable Antenna Using Photoconducting Switches", IEEE, Trans. on Antennas & Propagation, Vol. 54, No. 2, Feb 2006.

Chauraya, A.; Panagamuwa, C.; Vardaxoglou, J., "Beam Scanning Antenna with Photonically Tuned EBG Phase Shifters," Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium 2006, IEEE , vol., no., pp.2283,2286, 9-14 July 2006.

A. Chauraya, J. Kelly, R.D. Seager and J.C. Vardaxoglou, "Frequency Switchable Microstrip Filter for Microwave Frequencies", IEEE European Microwave ConferenceEuMW 05, Paris, 3-7 October 2005.

A. Chauraya, PhD Thesis: "Photoconductive Switching using Silicon and its Applications in Antennas and Reconfigurable Metallodielectric Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG)", School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, Loughborough University, 2004.

J. C. Vardaxoglou, A. Chauraya, and. P. de Maagt, "Reconfigurable Electromagnetic Band Gap Based Structures with Defects for mmwave and Antenna Applications",Twelfth International Conference on Antennas and Propagation, pp. 763-766, Vol. 2, 31^st March – 3^rd April 2003.

J. C. Vardaxoglou, A.Chauraya, A. P. Feresidis, and P. de-Maagt, "Metallodielectric Electromagnetic Band Gap (MEBG) Structures with tunable surfaces", IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/CNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Columbus, Ohio, USA, 22-27 June 2003.

J. C. Vardaxoglou, A.Chauraya, A. P. Feresidis and, P. de-Maagt, "Tunable Metallodielectric Electromagnetic Band Gap Structures with Defects", International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications, ICEAA, Torino, 2003, 8 -12 September 2003, pp. 667-670,.

J. C. Vardaxoglou, A.Chauraya, A. P. Feresidis, and P. de-Maagt, "Metallodielectric FSS and EBG structures with defects", Progress in Electromagnetic Research Symposium,13-16 October 2003, Hawaii, PIERS 2003.

J. C. Vardaxoglou, A. Chauraya, D. S. Lockyer, and Y. L. R. Lee, "Reconfigurable Metallodielectric Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) Structures", URSI, 27^th General Assembly, 17^th – 24^th August 2002,

A. Chauraya, Y. L. R. Lee, D. S. Lockyer, and J. C. Vardaxoglou, "A study of optically tuned metallodielectric photonic band gap array and patch antenna",Eleventh International Conference on Antennas and Propagation, pp. 492-497, 17 – 20 April 2001.

J. C. Vardaxoglou, D. S. Lockyer, Y. L. R. Lee, and A. Chauraya, "Photonic Bandgap and Bandpass Characteristics from Metallodielectric Periodic array Structures", 24^th ESTEC Antenna Workshop on Innovative Periodic Antennas: Photonic Bandgap, Fractual and Frequency Selective Structures: 30 May – 1 June 2001, pp. 213-217, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

Y. L. R. Lee, A. Chauraya, D. S. Lockyer, and J. C. Vardaxoglou, "Metallodielectric Photonic Bandgap Structures, Microwave Engineering", The European Journal for the Microwave and Wireless Design Engineer, pp. 43-49, April 2000.

R. Lee, A. Chauraya, and J. C. Vardaxoglou, "Metallodielectric Photonic Band Gap Structures for Microwave Filter and Antenna Applications", IEE Postgraduate Research in Electronics Photonics and Related Fields, pp. 69-74, 11-13 April 2000.

Y. L. R. Lee, A. Chauraya, D. S. Lockyer, and J. C. Vardaxoglou, "Dipole and tripole metallodielectric photonic bandgap (MPBG) structures for microwave filter and antenna applications", IEE Proc.-Optoelectron, Vol. 127 No. 6, pp. 395-400, December 2000.