3D printed smart polymer transducers for sensing and energy harvesting applications

可穿戴技术、智能监控系统和物联网的日益普及，导致分布式传感器网络被整合到许多产品中。虽然这些传感器提供了重要信息的实时数据采集，但它们往往伴随着系统复杂性、成本和功率要求的增加。为了弥补这些缺点，国防和航空布线公司（DAVWIRE）与西部大学Aaron Price博士的有机机电一体化和智能材料实验室合作，正在寻求利用增材制造（3D打印）和智能材料的进步来开发更小、更灵活、可以收集能量的新传感技术。该技术具有降低能源消耗和电力存储要求的潜力，最大限度地减少对环境的影响；同时能够获得更准确的诊断信息，用于医疗和航空行业的监测和决策。该项目将使DAVWIRE能够将其业务重点从合同制造转移到先进传感和能量收集技术的创新和开发，为当地经济创造增长机会。

The increasing popularity of wearable technology, intelligent monitoring systems, and the internet of things, has resulted in the incorporation of distributed sensor networks into many products. While these sensors provide real-time data acquisition of important information they are often accompanied by an increase in system complexity, cost and power requirements. To offset these drawbacks, Defense and Aviation Wiring Inc. (DAVWIRE) in collaboration with Dr. Aaron Price's Organic Mechatronics and Smart Materials Laboratory at Western University are seeking to harness advances in additive manufacturing (3D printing) and smart materials to develop new sensing technologies that are smaller, more flexible and can harvest energy. This technology has the potential to reduce energy consumption and power storage requirements minimizing the environmental impact; while enabling the acquisition of more accurate diagnostic information for monitoring and decision making within the medical and aviation industries. This project will enable DAVWIRE to transition its business focus from contract manufacturing to the innovation and development of advanced sensing and energy harvesting technology, creating growth opportunities for the local economy.