TRL Advancement of 3D Printed Electronics Packaging

The objective of this project is to push 3d printed parts towards use as space flight hardware. This will be accomplished by gathering information about the properties of nickel plated 3d printed plastic. 3d printed avionics packaging can help create small and lightweight packaging, however the plastics used in 3d printing have their own drawbacks. The plastics are often flammable, they are UV light sensitive, they have off gassing problems, they don’t conduct heat well, most don’t block EMI and are not electrically conductive. Nickel plating the 3d printed plastic offers an opportunity to mitigate the road blocks that prevent it from being used as space flight hardware. This CIF is to investigate how well nickel plating blocks out the UV light, shields from EMI, makes the packaging more electrically and thermally conductive, how it prevents off gassing and other physical properties of nickel plated plastic. Nickel coating plastic if fairly common. It is done for aesthetic purposes on interior car parts, especially buttons. There has also been some work done to figure out the mechanical properties of nickel coated plastics. This attempt to nickel coat an assembly for electronics is a new and innovative use for materials and processes that have existed for many years.

This technology could become a method to quickly and inexpensively reduce the size and weight of traditional aluminum packaging. Additionally the improvement to chemical resistance and off gassing could allow integration of 3d printed parts into normal use as space hardware.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.