Environmental Testing 3D Electronics
Abstract
University of New Mexico Grant #: FA9453-15-1-0305 “Environmental Testing 3D Electronics Research Program” Abstract The Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center (COSMIAC) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) proposes to perform research related to printing and testing electronics that have been embedded into 3D fabricated systems. The future of space electronics is often related to things presented in the Star Trek television show. In particular, the development of the Enterprise’s replicator. Great advances have occurred in the past year related to 3D printing, otherwise known as additive manufacturing (AM). In AM, a solid device is created by adding very thin layers of material over time until a complete (and often complex) structure is created. This is a very common practice and the proposing team does this type of work daily. The next step is to delay the printing process long enough to be able to embed wiring and electronics. An example of this type of experiment could be a soldier’s helmet where the electronics that monitor health and location are embedded into the material from which the helmet is created. The designer could reduce or eliminate much of the traditional spider web of wiring. In traditional satellite design, if any of the wires are crimped or broken, the satellite is rendered inoperative. There is no redundancy in flight. A much more reliable solution would be a satellite where all the wiring is embedded into the structural walls where it cannot be accessed or damaged. It should be possible to plug in the modules to an embedded backplane. We will use the provided funds to complete three major research goals: 1. Design and print simple prototypes with embedded chips and wiring. 2. Test the designed circuits using COSMIAC’s in-house testing capabilities. 3. Publish the results for dissemination.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 18, 2016
- Source ID
- FA94531510305
Entities
People
- Craig Kief
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- United States Air Force
- University of New Mexico