Description: ODME is developing on-demand manufacturing of a wide range of electronics, sensors, and power & energy devices for manufacturing in microgravity on the ISS and on the lunar surface to support Artemis surface construction and exploration activities. ODME is developing the next generation of deposition systems for printing precise patterns of electronics in microgravity and extreme environments. ODME is also developing materials and sensors to support self-powered sensor networks and replacement electronics for Logistics Reduction. ODME is also developing advanced thin film systems and materials for fabrication of next-generation microelectronics in microgravity, in support of NASA's in space manufacturing and ISAM development. These new deposition systems and associated advanced materials will enable increasingly thin and complex devices to utilize the significant advantages of microgravity for manufacturing of electronics. This new range of devices includes complex microelectronics circuits, a very wide range of sensors, and new technologies such as manufacturing of semiconductors in LEO. ODME development of advanced technologies for fabrication of microelectronics and sensors includes innovative technologies such as the Advanced Toolplate for significantly reducing the volume and mass of a multimaterial ODME 3D printer, with new toolheads that are 30-40% smaller and more capable. The technologies will enable fabrication of increasingly complex microelectronics such as crew health monitoring sensors, environment monitoring sensors, structural health monitoring sensors, and advanced printed power generation and energy storage devices. These power and energy devices will enable networks of sensors that do not require external power connections or batteries, making remote sensor networks for missions and exploration possible.

Benefits: The availability of on-demand manufacturing of electronic devices is a critical element for NASA’s future in-space and planetary expeditions. Electronic devices such as sensors, communication electronics/infrastructure (cabling), printed energy storage devices, and power generation elements will all need to be manufactured on-demand in an orbital or extraterrestrial environment in order to replace failed components or manufacture new systems on long duration, Earth-independent missions. Currently, many devices that fall into these categories have been demonstrated using ground-based processes (by NASA and Commercial partners), but the systems (printers) used to make these devices cannot be readily flown and the processes and materials have not been demonstrated in microgravity. The primary goal of this project is to create a deposition system or manufacturing suite which is capable of manufacturing a set of selected electronic devices and semiconductors on demand in microgravity. The technologies that ODME is developing will contribute significantly to the national defense, energy & power, and commercial utilization of LEO space.