Innovative hydrogel gaskets for aerospace and RF communication applications (InnoKets)

电子设备、太阳爆发和银河宇宙射线产生的电磁场可能导致严重的健康风险和设备性能的恶化，因此EMF屏蔽成为一个重要的研究课题。射频通信和航空航天设备需要以垫圈的形式隐藏集成EMF屏蔽，以适应电子外壳的形状。这些垫圈的机械和电气性能差将导致设备故障和无效的EMF屏蔽。因此，对轻质、灵活和高导电性的EMF屏蔽垫片有强烈的需求。InnoKets项目旨在解决上述挑战，通过开发以垫片形式的多功能油墨3D打印水凝胶电磁屏蔽，通过应用低成本和高效的3D打印技术，实现高性能和小型化组件的完全屏蔽EMF（99.9%）。该项目是多学科的，包括纳米复合油墨的开发和表征，水凝胶垫片的3D打印和具有良好形状保真度的法拉第织物。该项目的目标是在不影响织物屏蔽性能的情况下，使织物具有高导电性~105-106 Sm-1，可逆压缩率>90%，良好的耐洗涤剂性能。该项目将对欧盟航空工业产生重大的经济影响，因为开发了低成本的3D制造方法，可以显著减轻重量（由于新的轻质垫片）。这符合欧盟关于良好健康和幸福的可持续发展目标战略。Elmarakbi和Fu是最合适的导师和联合导师，因为他们在相关研究领域拥有丰富的经验，主持过以前的居里夫人研究员，并管理过许多欧盟项目。诺森比亚大学将为该项目提供最好的环境和设施。该项目将提供多学科和管理/创业技能的培训，这对研究人员未来的职业生涯至关重要。

Electromagnetic field (EMF) generated from electronic gadgets, solar eruptions, and galactic cosmic rays could lead to severe health risks and deterioration of device performance, which make EMF shielding a crucial research topic. RF communication and aerospace devices require the concealed integration of EMF shields in the form of gaskets to fit the shape of electronic housing. Poor mechanical and electrical properties of these gaskets will cause device failure and inefficient EMF shielding. Therefore, there are strong demands for lightweight, flexible, and highly conductive EMF shielding gaskets. The project, InnoKets is aimed to address the above challenge by developing multifunctional ink-based 3D printed hydrogel EM shields in the form of gaskets, by applying a low cost and efficient 3D printing technology for high performance and miniaturized components to completely shield EMF (99.9%). The project is multidisciplinary and includes development and characterization of nanocomposite inks, 3D printing of hydrogel gaskets and Faraday fabric with good shape fidelity. The project is aimed to achieve high conductivity~105-106 Sm-1, reversible compressibility>90%, and good detergent resistance of fabric without compromising its shielding properties. This project will have significant economic impact on EU aeronautics industry due to the development of low-cost 3D manufacture methodology for significant weight reduction (due to new light weight gasket). It is in line with the EU strategy for the SDG of Good health and Well Being.Profs. Elmarakbi and Fu are among the most appropriate supervisor and co-supervisor, as they possess vast experience in relevant research areas, hosting previous Marie Curie fellows and managing many EU projects. Northumbria University will provide best environment and facilities for this project. This project will provide trainings for multidisciplinary and management/entrepreneurship skills, crucial for the future career of the researcher.