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

电子设备、太阳喷发和银河系宇宙射线产生的电磁场会导致严重的健康风险和设备性能的恶化，这使得电磁场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片的形式隐藏集成电动势屏蔽，以适应电子外壳的形状。这些垫片的机械和电气性能较差，将导致器件失效和电动势屏蔽效率低下。因此，对轻质、柔性和高导电性的电动势屏蔽垫片的需求很大。InnoKets项目旨在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来应对上述挑战，通过应用低成本和高效的3D打印技术来实现高性能和小型化组件的完全屏蔽电动势(99.9%)。该项目是多学科的，包括纳米复合油墨的开发和表征，水凝胶垫片和形状保真度良好的法拉第织物的3D打印。该项目的目标是在不影响织物屏蔽性能的情况下，实现高电导率~105-106Sm-1，可逆压缩性和90%，以及良好的耐洗涤性。该项目将对欧盟航空业产生重大的经济影响，因为开发了低成本的3D制造方法，以显著减轻重量(由于新的轻质垫片)。这符合欧盟关于健康和幸福的可持续发展目标的战略。Elmarakbi和Fu是最合适的主管和联合主管，因为他们在相关研究领域拥有丰富的经验，接待了之前的Marie Curie研究员，并管理了许多欧盟项目。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.