Printed Smart Objects

Objects with embedded electronics are becoming increasingly ubiquitous as the demand for smart functionalities in everyday objects grows. Additively manufacturing such items offers exciting opportunities to free electronics from the confines of a printed circuit board and integrate electronic components in to the structure of the object itself. Combining this approach with energy-harvesting features enables the smart objects to be battery free. 3D printing of electronics within shapes requires a thorough understanding of material interactions and process parameters. At Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), we are working on novel hardware, process and material solutions enabling this technology. This talk will showcase some of that recent effort.