Direct-Write of Electronics, Sensors, and Micro-Power Sources
This project develops direct-write techniques like inkjetting and laser transfer to rapidly prototype electronics, sensors, and micro-power sources with optimized performance.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025 | February 1, 2026
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; relocation assistance available for eligible awardees. Typical fellowship duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research on direct-write techniques for rapid prototyping of electronics, sensors, and micro-power sources with optimized performance at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents holding a doctoral degree; requires contacting a Research Adviser prior to application.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on advancing direct-write techniques—such as laser forward transfer, laser micromachining, inkjet printing, stereolithography, and multi-photon polymerization—for rapid prototyping of novel mesoscopic electronic components, sensor elements, and micro-power sources. Research includes design and fabrication of passive and active electronic components, conformal antennas, miniature physical, chemical, and biological sensors, microbatteries, and micro-ultracapacitors.
The program emphasizes simultaneous patterning and material transfer, aiming to optimize device performance to meet or exceed commercially available components. Efforts also include developing a comprehensive library of materials and processes for fabricating individual components and integrating them into complete working systems.
State-of-the-art equipment available includes three fully automated laser direct-write systems, inkjet and Micropen modules, a femtosecond multi-photon polymerization system, and a picosecond UV laser stereolithography setup. Extensive characterization facilities support optical (UV-VIS-IR), electrical (DC to RF probe stations), and electrochemical (potentiostats, battery testing) evaluations, along with materials and surface analysis tools such as confocal microscopy, stylus profilometry, AFM, SEM, and XRD.
This opportunity is ideal for materials science engineers, physicists, electrical engineers, and mechanical engineers interested in cutting-edge fabrication and characterization of microelectronic and sensor devices.
