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Auburn University and NASA Validate Microgravity Dry Electronic 3D Printing for In-Space Manufacturing of Electronic Components
2026-06-25
A joint team from Auburn University and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has successfully demonstrated a dry, inkless electronic 3D printing process that operates in microgravity environments. The technology generates and sinters silver and copper nanoparticles in situ, with a compact system about 60 cm per side that integrates particle generation, printing, and sintering. Through 50 microgravity tests conducted via parabolic flight (each lasting approximately 25 seconds), the team successfully printed conductive structures such as antennas. NASA awarded the team $1.5 million in 2022 to develop the system. This technology offers a viable path for on-demand manufacturing of sensors, repair of damaged systems, and production of replacement electronic components in deep space missions.
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奥本大学与NASA验证微重力干法电子3D打印，可在太空直接制造电子元件
奥本大学与NASA马歇尔太空飞行中心联合团队，成功验证了一种可在微重力环境下使用的干法无墨电子3D打印工艺。该技术通过原位生成银、铜纳米颗粒并烧结成型，设备约60厘米见方，集成颗粒生成、打印和烧结于一体。团队通过抛物线飞行进行50次微重力测试（每次约25秒），成功打印出天线等导电结构。NASA于2022年向团队资助150万美元用于系统开发。该技术为深空任务按需制造传感器、维修受损系统及生产替换电子元件提供了可行路径。