Re: I don't quite see how
Yes; I would agree with that. Aerial "tuning" is a misnomer in any case; the correct term is "matching" because the requirement is to match the impedance of the aerial (which may have real and imaginary components) to that impedance for which a transmitter output stage is designed.
What is being described in the article isn't frequency hopping either; frequency hopping is a means of (a) concealing the fact that a transmission is taking place, (b) making it harder to jam any such transmission, and (c) making it harder to intercept and perhaps decrypt what is being sent.
However I would argue that it is very hard to determine the exact purpose behind this research from both the El Reg article and the "Eureka Alert" reference . At least Eureka Alert takes the trouble to add Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! at the bottom of its piece. Wise move, adding that.
I have read and reread both articles and have been unable to avoid concluding that both may be a little "confused", but to be fair I have to admit to not being a "Marvin" with a brain the size of a planet.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
