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Completed TRL 1 (started at 1, targeting 3)
Current advances in printed electronics may provide a new generation of 3D printed sensors and devices. We propose to evaluate candidates for extremely low power embedded sensing and communication platforms suitable for implementation on 3D printed substrates. Candidate solutions will be profiled and tested on custom made 3D substrates. Extremely low power platforms will be evaluated as candidates for sensor platforms powered by energy harvesting. The proposed work will utilize the research background of NASA MSFC scientists, along with the ECE Department at UAH, to further develop the technology of custom electronics on 3D printed substrates for space applications.
Current advances in 3D printing and printed electronics may provide a new generation of 3D printed sensors and devices of interest for NASA and commercial applications. Particularly important issue for NASA is on-demand printing of various parts during missions, that might include custom designs of new and innovative parts of essence for a given mission. Printed electronics opens new ways on-demand manufacturing of custom sensors of interest for NASA, and to establish connectivity between the physical and digital worlds. Computers and others digital technologies are increasingly integrated into everyday objects and activities. An increasingly important feature of this environment is the interconnectivity of the various physical devices, which creates an Internet of Things.
Common printing technologies, such as screen, flexography, and inkjet printing, are now starting to be used not only to mass-produce extremely thin, flexible and cost effective electronic circuits, but also to introduce electronic functionality into objects where it was previously unavailable. The growing accessibility to personal fabrication tools is enabling end- users to design and produce their own parts according to their needs. Miniature wearable biosensors have generated new opportunities for personalized eHealth and mHealth services. Smart objects equipped with physiological sensors can provide robust monitoring of activities of the crew and context for wearable physiological sensors. Commercial applications would also benefit from ubiquitous and smart home sensors integrated into IoT system.
Major technological advances create significant opportunity for integration of 3D printed parts with electronics and sensors. Smart sensors can be integrated as a part of structures and tools and provide long operation time with limited battery or use harvested energy for battery-less operation. Possible applications include structure and environmental monitoring, as well as monitoring of the crew’s physiology and activity. Some companies are already providing standard hardware modules on flexible substrates with alternative system configurations.
However, actual implementations still face many issues and questions, such as:
The proposed work merges complementary competencies of NASA and ECE Department and opens opportunity for implementation and commercialization of new technologies. UAH will be an ideal research partner for Cooperative Agreement Notice collaboration with MSFC to develop prototype sensor platforms and evaluate their performance in typical application scenarios.
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