This project is no longer open for submissions.
Overview:
NASA is seeking state of the art technologies in the field of flexible electronics. Technologies should have reached at least the proof-of-concept stage. Relevant areas of interest include manufacturing techniques, application areas, and test methods for flexible electronics. The domain of interest is in the underlying technologies that enable truly flexible electronics.
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Background:
Traditionally, electronics have been limited to rigid form factors that break when flexed. In the past decade, the DoD, industry, and academia have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in radical new design and manufacturing processes to reliably produce flexible electronics. In the last three years, the underlying technology has rapidly advanced, producing flexible substrates, sensors, and processors with impressive durability. The increasing technology readiness level presents an opportunity to apply the technology to human spaceflight, but requires an in-depth understanding of the materials, reliability, test methods, and other concerns.
Constraints:
Flexible Electronics Technologies must:
- Be compatible with spaceflight conditions
- Have achieved proof-of-concept stage of development
- Provide durability and reliability
- Be manufactured on low-weight substrates
- Be compatible with complex three-dimensional geometries
Solution types include:
- Manufacturing methods
- Testing methods
- Underlying technologies enabling flexible electronics
- Fully developed flexible electronics products relevant to spaceflight
Desired outcome of the solution:
Looking to implement practical solutions in the next 3-7 years.
Field of use and intended applications:
Target applications include (but are not limited to) wearables, asset monitoring, robotics, communication devices, ultra-low power, and low mass or conformal electronics.
