Space Enabled Advanced Devices and Semiconductors (SEADS)

The NASA On Demand Manufacturing of Electronics (ODME) overall project goal is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a low-gravity, on-demand manufacturing system for semiconductor electronic devices on the International Space Station (ISS). As part of that goal, ODME is partnering with various groups (Intel/NAU/Fujifilm/TEL/Axiom Space) on the development of an high-precision inkjet printer. Advance testing on parabolic flights prior to deployment to the ISS in 2024-2025 results in significant risk reduction.

Summary of Flight Test
2023-11-28 & 2024-02-26 While we did not achieve our goals during this flight, the experience has provided us with valuable insights and learning opportunities. These lessons will guide our future efforts and improvements in pursuit of our goals. Our team remains committed to advancing our projects and is already working on strategies to overcome the obstacles encountered.
2024-03-05 Demonstration of electrohydrodynamically-printed insulator and semiconductor upon conducting material.

Current manufacturing methods usually require costly facilities, hundreds of masks, and complex process flow such as lithography, etching, deposition, and thin film growth. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing technology is a promising alternative process providing a non-contact (defect reduction), direct printing (mask-less) method, and etching-free process for semiconductor electronic manufacture. The microgravity (µG) environment provides the beneficial effects in EHD printing technology (from ink preparation and manufacturing to applications and product stages) that can provide better trench filling conformity, and less voiding defects for advanced sub-µm semiconductor manufacturing in a zero-gravity environment.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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.