Podcast: The future of electronics goes beyond circuit boards
NSF-supported researcher Ethan Secor describes a specialized additive manufacturing process and the materials used to produce circuits that can be customized to conform to complex three-dimensional surfaces. The discussion emphasizes fabricating electronics directly onto non-flat forms as an alternative to traditional flat circuit boards.

Why this is good news
Designers and manufacturers integrating electronics into curved or irregular objects could benefit because the process fabricates circuits directly onto non-flat forms. Demonstrating materials and an additive manufacturing approach for customizable circuits matters as it offers an alternative to relying on traditional flat circuit boards.
What happens next
What tests will be used to evaluate the electrical performance, durability, and manufacturing repeatability of circuits produced on varied three-dimensional surfaces?


