We have been researching on mechanically steerable antennas through the use of smart materials such as ionic polymers, dielectric elastomer actuators, shape memory alloyes, eutectic alloys, etc.

Sample publications (complete list of publications can be found at this link):

• Jiang, XJ, Mazlouman, SJ, Mahanfar, A, Vaughan, RG, and Menon, C (2012) DEA deformed stretchable patch antenna, Smart materials and structures, Vol.21, No.5 (8pp).
• Mazlouman, SJ, Jiang, X, Mahanfar, A, Menon, C, Vaughan, RG (2011) A Reconfigurable Patch Antenna using Liquid Metal Embedded in a Silicone Substrate, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vo. 59, No. 12, pp 4406-4412
• Mazlouman, SJ, Soleiman, M, Mahanfar, A., Menon, C, Vaughan, RG (2011) Pattern Reconfigurable Square Ring Patch Antenna actuated by a Hemispherical Dielectric Elastomer, Electronics letters, Volume 47, Issue 3, pp 164-165 
• Mazlouman, S, Mahanfar, A, Menon, C, Vaughan, RG (2011) Reconfigurable Axial-Mode Helical Antennas using Shape Memory Alloys, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol.54, No.4, pp.1070-1077.
• Mahanfar, A., Menon, C., Vaughan, R.G., (2008) Smart antennas using electro-active polymers for deformable parasitic elements, Electronics Letters, Vol. 44, No. 19, pp. 1113-1114, September 11.