11/17/2023
By Danielle Fretwell

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, invites you to attend a Master's Thesis defense by Lucas Unger on "Functionalization of Non-Traditional and Flexible Substrates for Additively Manufactured RF Circuits."

Candidate Name: Lucas Unger
Degree: Master’s
Defense Date : Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
Location: ETIC 445

Committee:

  • Advisor: Corey Shemelya, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Jay Weitzen, Department Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Oshadha Ranasingha, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UMass Lowell

Brief Abstract:
Additive manufacturing on nontraditional surfaces urges new design and fabrication techniques. Direct Ink writing often requires smooth printing surfaces and protection from abrasion and corrosion. This research describes methods for spraying and extruding RF compatible polymers to produce level surfaces and encapsulations. Additionally, with the increasing demand for rapid prototyping in RF electronics, there exists a similar need for integration of more compact IC packages in printed additive electronics. Additive manufacturing enables faster design cycling while advanced flexible substrates enable new compact geometries. To meet these needs, expanding the capabilities of additive manufacturing techniques is necessary. Developed methods and materials have shown increased stability and resilience on flexible heterogeneous circuits utilizing modern IC package technology.