2025
- The 2025 PERC Annual Symposium was held on May 29 and brought together active PERC members to share updates on ongoing and newly initiated research projects within the collaborative. The event provided a platform for technical exchange, strategic discussion, and networking among academic, industry, and government stakeholders. Joe Kunz, Chief Technology Officer of Antenna Research Associates(ARA), delivered the keynote address titled “Transitioning Printed Electronics: The Business of Technology.” His presentation drew upon decades of industry experience and addressed critical themes such as the dynamics between technology push and market pull, challenges in scalability, supply chain considerations, workforce development, and emerging opportunities in the field. The keynote themes were further explored in a panel discussion featuring representatives from Raytheon, ARA, Flexcon, and Brewer Science, who offered diverse perspectives on the commercialization and future direction of printed electronics. The symposium concluded with an open discussion on the strategic direction and funding landscape for PERC, followed by a networking session that included refreshments, a hosted bar, and guided tours of the research facilities.
- Christopher Areias recently earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UMass Lowell while working with Professor Alkim Akyurtlu. His research focused on the Advanced Design, Simulation, and Fabrication of Additively Manufactured Microwave Electronics with Novel Shielding and High-Power Integration Techniques. His work has already made a strong impact in the field, with two high-profile publications: a paper in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques on the additive integration of high-power microwave amplifiers, and a second article—featured on the front cover and selected as an Editors’ Choice—in Advanced Engineering Materials, exploring the effects of surface roughness in aerosol-jet printed electronics. Chris's excellence has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards, including the 2025 Dean’s Medal from the Francis College of Engineering, the Department’s Outstanding PhD Student Award, and a Graduate Student Certificate of Appreciation. He now brings his expertise to an exciting new role at CAES by Honeywell, where he will continue to advance the frontier of high-performance microwave electronics. Congratulations, Chris!
- The PERC/ Raytheon UMass Lowell Research Institute (RURI) team participated in the 51st iMAPS New England Symposium and Expo, held on May 6, 2025, at the Boxboro Regency Hotel and Conference Center. Several student researchers presented posters showcasing their latest work, and select team members delivered invited talks during the oral technical sessions. PERC/RURI maintains a strong and consistent presence at this annual event, contributing to the advancement of microelectronics and packaging technologies. We look forward to continued engagement at future symposia and hope to connect with colleagues and collaborators at next year's meeting.
- The Printed Electronics Research Collaborative (PERC) recently acquired a state-of-the-art XTPL Delta printing system. This equipment was procured through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ M2I2 capital equipment funding program and is part of the cost-share contribution for the newly funded NextFlex Project 9.5.4. The XTPL Delta printer employs a high-precision, direct-write pressure dispensing technique, enabling the reliable fabrication of conductive traces with linewidths ranging from 3 to 5 microns. Under optimized conditions, the system has demonstrated the capability to produce conductive features with submicron resolution, with reported linewidths below 1 micron.
