US Air Force

Additive technologies for cost efficient solar power

Inspired by newspaper printing, and taking cues from additive manufacturing technology, researchers are exploring new ways to make solar cells more cost efficient—increasing application potential in the process.

Worm-inspired material for soft robotics

A new material that naturally adapts to changing environments was inspired by the strength, stability, and mechanical performance of the jaw of a marine worm.

Researchers improve production of thin, efficient solar cells

Researchers are making strides in material development that may open up new possibilities for thin, wearable electronics and other vital power applications.

Self-powered mobile polymers

One of the impediments to developing miniaturized, "squishy" robots is the need for an internal power source that overcomes the power-to-weight ratio for efficient movement.

Changing materials science with robotics, AI and autonomy

The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate's Autonomous Research System, or ARES, can design, conduct and evaluate experimental data without human intervention, revolutionizing the materials research process as it is today.

Flexible batteries: evolving energy for the new reality

By using highly conductive, flexible carbon nanotube mats, scientists have developed a new type of flexible lithium-ion battery that not only stores energy, but can be folded, bent and manipulated hundreds of times without voltage fluctuations.

Wearable captures and senses sweat biomarkers

Sweat derived from eccrine glands in human skin contains valuable information about physiological performance and dysfunction. Importantly, sweat data can be captured discreetly and non-invasively.

APDM

APDM develop and sell high end wearable sensor for high performance motion tracking. Their packages are build around a sensor called the opal, which includes inertial measurement unit components in a small rigid package. These sensors, usually used several at a time, feed into their software platforms which enable high level motion analysis of subjects, used in areas such as research, medical diagnosis and elite sports analysis.

Materials research for better energy storage

UES Inc has been awarded a $45,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract by the US Air Force for research and development efforts for the Soft Organic Functional Technology program.

Helmet mounted technology for airmen

Wearable for improving aircraft situational awareness and combat readiness.

New 3D nano-material enhances battery storage

The scientists' goal is to produce new materials for a host of uses, ranging from high-efficiency batteries, ultracapacitors, fuel cells and hydrogen storage devices to lightweight thermal coatings for hypersonic jets, multifunctional materials for aerospace, and more.

$75 million DoD funding for flexible hybrid electronics hub

The Obama administration will award a Manufacturing Innovation Institute for Flexible Hybrid Electronics to a consortium of 162 companies, universities, and non-profits led by the FlexTech Alliance.

Thin ribbon of flexible electronics can monitor health, infrastructure

A new world of flexible, bendable, even stretchable electronics is emerging from research labs to address a wide range of potentially game-changing uses.

Aircraft heat exchanger to be manufactured using 3D printing

3D Systems has announced its role in a $1.3 million contract to design, build and test a cutting-edge aircraft heat exchanger to be manufactured using 3D printing.

2015 FLEXTECH Conference

March 5, 2015 - San Jose, Calif. - 2015FLEX, the Flexible & Printed Electronics Conference & Exhibition, successfully revealed the market pull for flexible electronics through keynote plenaries and focused technical sessions, while exhibits on the show floor attracted numerous end users. Held on February 23-26, 2015 - and for the first time at the Monterey, Calif. Conference Center - 580+ registrants saw first-hand demonstrations of end products, as well as new manufacturing tools and materials. The Flex Conference is sponsored annually by FlexTech Alliance.

Funding for development of electronics and biometric sensor platforms

The Nano-Bio Manufacturing Consortium has awarded funding for a project proposed by Binghamton University to develop electronics and biometric sensor platforms for human performance monitoring.

New implanted devices may reshape medicine

Researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Tokyo have created electronic devices that become soft when implanted inside the body and can deploy to grip 3-D objects, such as large tissues, nerves and blood vessels.

Contract to advance fully printed transistor technology

Optomec has announced that the company was awarded a contract by the Air Force Research Lab to advance its Aerosol Jet technology for printed electronics.