06/12/2025
By Danielle Fretwell

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, invites you to attend a Doctoral Dissertation Proposal defense by Jotham Kasule on: "Printed Flexible High Density and High Frequency Connectors with Active Components Integration"

Candidate Name: Jotham Kasule
Degree: Doctoral
Defense Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: ETIC 445

Committee

  • Advisor: Alkim Akyurtlu, Professor (Associate Chair), Electrical & Computer Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Co-Advisor: Jay Weitzen, Professor (Department Chair), Electrical & Computer Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Craig Armiento, Professor Emeritus, Electrical & Computer Engineering, UML
  • Corey Shemelya, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Mary Herndon, Senior Engineering Fellow, Raytheon Technologies (RTX)

Abstract:
The emergence of new fabrication methods has presented extensive opportunities to engineers today to leverage in performance,
miniaturization and cut costs on development of microwave systems. Also, together with the need to easily and rapidly prototype electronic systems to shorten lead times, combined with the ability to develop custom structures and geometrical form factors has led to adoption of Additive Manufacturing (AM) as an alternative method of fabrication. Electronic components such as filters, antennas, frequency selective surfaces, and phase shifters have been developed by AM technology but the area of “printed connectors” with a separable interface has not received much attention. Today, flexible electronic circuits are designed and printed to take advantage of flexible, conformal form factors. However, to connect with other systems, rigid Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) connectors are commonly employed, reducing the flexibility of the printed circuits. Consequently, there is a need to develop printable connectors for flexible printed electronics with novel form factors. This work studies the novel design of a microwave connector utilizing planar connectors and will uniquely demonstrate (1) the high density (compact and multi signal formats), (2) high frequency, flexible connector assembly using printed electronics technology and (3) embedded (4) active filter integration. This high-density flexible connector with multiple signal formats reimagines the microwave connector from the rigid form factor geometry to planar connectors geometry that is easier to integrate into flexible circuits. The mechanical structure that holds together the electrical circuit boards that make up the connector is fully redesigned. It also involves modelling and analyzing electromagnetic behavior of the connectors using HFSS full electromagnetic wave solver, as well as developing additive and subtractive printing techniques, and testing and characterization techniques.