An Interview with Santanu Kumar Behera and Dr. Durga Prasad Mishra

In this interview, we talk to Santanu Kumar Behera and Dr. Durga Prasad Mishra, authors of the book, Chipless RFID Printing Technologies. We discuss the motivation behind writing the book, the target audience, the most useful aspects of the book, the challenges of writing the book, and advice for other engineers who are considering writing a book. 

Santanu Kumar Behera received the B.Sc. (Engg.) degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) Burla, India, in 1990, and the M.E. degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering and the Ph.D. degree (Engg.) from Jadavpur University Kolkata, West Bengal India in 2001 and 2008, respectively. He has completed his post-Doctoral research from Monash University Clayton, Victoria, Australia under Endeavour Executive fellowship program, Ministry of Education, Government of Australia in 2018.  

Dr. Durga Prasad Mishra currently serves as an Assistant Professor at LNMIIT (LNM Institute of Information Technology), located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. His journey in academia has been distinguished by several significant roles and notable contributions. His prowess in teaching and his valuable contributions to the field of education led to his appointment as an Assistant Professor at NIT Rourkela in 2022 on contract.

1. What was your main motivation behind writing your book?  

The idea behind “Chipless RFID Printing Technologies” was to fill a significant void in the material that was already available about the relatively new area of chipless RFID systems and printing technologies. We were motivated by a strong desire to further the field’s understanding after noticing a significant lack of resources that successfully combine smart materials, sensor technologies, and printing methods for chipless RFID applications. Our dual objectives were to meet the increasing demand for thorough literature on chipless RFID systems and to offer an invaluable resource for practitioners, engineers, and researchers working in the field of RFID technology. Fuelled by an enthusiastic desire to bridge the gap between theory and practice, our endeavour aimed to empower individuals with the requisite knowledge and tools to navigate the intricate landscape of chipless RFID technology effectively. We envisioned our book not only as a definitive guide elucidating the complexities of chipless RFID but also as a catalyst for innovation, driving transformative change and fostering technological advancements within the RFID ecosystem.

2. Who is the main target audience for your book and what will they appreciate the most about the book? 

Our book caters to a diverse audience encompassing academia, industry, and research communities, with a primary focus on researchers, engineers, and professionals immersed in fields such as radio frequency identification (RFID), printed electronics, sensor technologies, and wireless communication. Students in UG and PG programs can also benefit greatly from this book in their academic curriculum. However, its relevance extends beyond disciplinary boundaries, attracting academics seeking to broaden their horizons, industry practitioners striving for innovation, and policymakers shaping the technological landscape. By offering comprehensive coverage of chipless RFID systems, including discussions on smart materials, sensor integration, reader antennas, and printing techniques, the book ensures resonance across various domains. Industries ranging from logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, to retail stand to benefit significantly from the practical insights and applications provided, aligning seamlessly with their operational paradigms, and fostering innovation and advancement within their respective sectors.

3. What do you see your book being most useful for? 

The book, “Chipless RFID Printing Technologies,” is an invaluable resource for anyone looking for in-depth information and useful advice on chipless RFID technologies. Encompassing a wide array of topics including passive microwave and mm-wave circuits, smart materials for sensing, characterization techniques, and design considerations for printable chipless RFID tags, it caters to academics, researchers, engineers, and industry professionals alike. With its multifaceted role as a comprehensive reference guide, practical handbook, and scholarly treatise, the book offers a wealth of insights necessary to navigate the complexities of chipless RFID systems. From delving into the intricacies of passive microwave and mm-wave circuits to elucidating smart materials for sensing and sensor characterization techniques, every chapter is meticulously crafted to provide precision and clarity. This book gives you the skills and information you need to succeed in this ever-changing industry, whether your goals are to use chipless RFID technology in practical applications, launch new research projects, or come up with creative solutions. Its applicability and significance in a variety of fields make it a priceless resource for the academic, business, and research communities, establishing it as a key player in the field of chipless RFID technologies.

4. How did you find the writing of the book? Do you have a specific process or are you quite methodical in your writing approach? 

The writing journey for our book, “Chipless RFID Printing Technologies,” was a harmonious blend of meticulous planning, collaborative synergy, and unwavering commitment. From the outset, we embarked on this endeavour with a clear vision of the book’s scope, objectives, and intended audience, establishing a solid foundation for a structured and methodical approach to content creation. Extensive research served as our guiding light, leading us through a comprehensive exploration of existing literature to gain profound insights into the intricacies of chipless RFID technologies and related fields. We precisely organized the content into coherent chapters, each carefully crafted to explore into specific aspects such as smart materials, sensor characterization, tag design, and reader antennas. Working freely together with co-authors and subject matter experts, we created a rich tapestry of many viewpoints and specialties that enhanced the text and verified its accuracy and relevancy. Adopting a flexible and iterative writing approach, we were dynamic in adding new advancements and perspectives, so the book stayed relevant and influential throughout the conversation on RFID chipless technologies.

5. What challenges did you face when writing the book and how did you overcome them?

Navigating the intricate landscape of writing “Chipless RFID Printing Technologies” was not without its formidable challenges, chief among them being the task of distilling complex technical concepts into accessible and understandable language for a diverse audience. Meeting this challenge necessitated a meticulous approach, characterized by the careful explanation of key principles, incorporation of illustrative examples, and integration of practical applications to enhance clarity and relevance. Moreover, the dynamic nature of chipless RFID technologies posed a continuous hurdle, compelling us to remain vigilant in staying updated with the rapid advancements in the field. To address this, we maintained a rigorous schedule of reviewing and incorporating new research findings and industry developments into the manuscript, ensuring its currency and relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of RFID technology. Despite these obstacles, our unwavering commitment to delivering a comprehensive and authoritative resource persevered, driving us to overcome each challenge with creativity, problem-solving prowess, and an enduring dedication to producing a work of enduring value.

6. What advice would you give to other engineers who are considering writing a book? 

Our combined advice emphasizes the critical value of thorough planning and unrelenting dedication for engineers considering the challenging endeavor of writing a book. Start by developing a thorough grasp of your topic and target audience, firmly establishing the boundaries of your work with a defined scope and objectives. The foundation of your endeavor is thorough study, which makes it possible to find openings and gaps in the body of current literature. Accept working together with co-authors or subject matter experts to provide a variety of viewpoints to your manuscript and enhance its academic content. Perseverance and dedication are non-negotiable qualities during the writing process because it takes a significant amount of time, energy, and unyielding resolve to produce a publication of respectable quality. Finally, aggressively seek out input from potential mentors, peers, and potential readers, leveraging their insights to refine your manuscript and ensure its enduring relevance and impact.

7. What are you working on next? 

Now, we are fully committed to investigating potential directions for additional study and invention in the field of chipless RFID technology. Our efforts take a broad approach, covering the exploration of new materials, manufacturing processes, and system designs with the goal of enhancing the functionality, effectiveness, and scalability of RFID systems without chips. Furthermore, our industry partnerships play a crucial role in enabling us to translate state-of-the-art research results into practical applications and solutions that are specifically designed to tackle real-world problems. This coordinated effort demonstrates our dedication to advancing chipless RFID technology and accelerating its adoption across a variety of industries and applications. We’re still committed to pushing the boundaries of chipless RFID technology which can be affordable at low cost. We want to turn our research into workable solutions that solve urgent problems in the real world and spur innovation. Our ultimate objective is to continue to be thought leaders and innovators in the field of chipless RFID technology, pushing its broad acceptance and enabling its further development in the years to come.

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Learn more about the book on our websites

ARTECH HOUSE USA : Chipless RFID Printing Technologies

ARTECH HOUSE U.K.: Chipless RFID Printing Technologies

More RF and Microwave content here Microwave and RF – Artech House Insider

Also Electromagnetics content here Electromagnetic Analysis – Artech House Insider

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