Printed Electronics Applications in Integrated Buildings and Aerospace Systems

Dr. Slade Culp
Staff Scientist
United Technologies Research Center

As advanced techniques for additive and hybrid manufacturing mature, the feasibility of integrating structural and functional features into a single component increases. Be it embedded sensors, novel optical structures, or integrated wiring, these manufacturing techniques establish a new paradigm in design for individual components as well as complex systems. Simplification of the manufacturing processes is expected to drive cost reduction and ubiquitous deployment of printed and additively manufactured components. UTRC, as the central research arm of UTC, is working to develop the manufacturing, materials, modeling and design tools necessary to take full advantage of these techniques for applications in buildings and aerospace systems.