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3DTransducers: Functional 3D Printed Transducer and Sensor Systems

Project description

Harnessing 3D printing to produce functional transducer and sensor systems

Transducers significantly boost our ability to sense and respond to inputs in our environment. The virtually ubiquitous sensing technologies in current and emerging applications rely on transducers to convert one signal type, for example a touch or temperature input, into another such as electrical voltage. Although silicon-based micro-electro-mechanical systems enable large-scale manufacture of very cheap sensors, prototyping remains an expensive challenge. The EU-funded 3DTransducers project will exploit 3D-printing techniques already developed in the SASATIN ERC project to produce 3D-printed functionalised polymeric transducers in a process independent of materials from the printer manufacturer.

Objective

Sensors are ubiquitous in the modern technological world. From the numerous sensors everyone carries within their smartphone, through the pervasive nature of sensors within human machines, to the oncoming explosion of the “Internet of Things” promising immense interconnected networks of sensor enabled systems in virtually every aspect of human life. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) as silicon integrated circuits (ICs) are the base technology for nearly all such sensors. In 2017 the worldwide market for MEMS sensors was valued at 10.3€ Billion up from 8.5€ Billion in 2016. It is forecast to grow to 48.4€ Billion in 2024. The use of MEMS ICs provides large-scale manufacture of very cheap sensors. However, there are also many disadvantages. They do not easily provide for rapid and localised/distributed manufacture and implementation. Prototyping requires multi-user foundry platforms or the availability of local facilities, both of which can be relatively expensive, and time consuming, for short runs of prototypes. There are also limitations to what can be achieved. For example, it is very difficult and expensive to make 3D MEMS silicon structures, and there are many issues with liquid interfacing of such systems.

3D printing to make relatively small structures is not new, and various groups have recently reported functionalized polymers. This project will produce 3D printed transducers using 3D printing techniques from the SASATIN ERC project. The 3D printing arrangement does not rely on specific materials purchased from the printer manufacturer.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2018-PoC

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Host institution

UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 146 334,00
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Richmond Street 16
G1 1XQ Glasgow
United Kingdom

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 146 334,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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