Announced: April 2016
Focus region(s): MetroWest
Project partners: Northeastern University, Tufts University, Milara (Milford), GloTech (Leominster), Rogers Corporation (Burlington), GE Global Research (global).
Governor Baker joined MassTech to award up to $3 million to Northeastern University, part of an overall $13.9 million project which will enable the development and enhancement of infrastructure to support applied research and product development into the manufacturing of smart sensors and specialized materials through new, additive manufacturing methods.
During the launch event at Northeastern’s Kostas Research Institute in Burlington, Mass., speakers highlighted the impact that smart sensors will have on advancing connected technologies, known as the “Internet of Things,” and the impact that increased R&D in nanomaterials could have on commercial products. Applications range from high-precision sensors used to monitor premature babies in hospital neonatal units, devices that track water quality, and wearable devices that monitor biometric data. A 2015 study by IDTechEx estimated that the market for wearable sensors and electronics would grow to $64 billion over the following decade and a June 2015 study by McKinsey found that the Internet of Things could have a total potential economic impact of $3.9 to $11.1 trillion a year by 2025.
A portion of the funds will be used to deploy a new manufacturing technology pioneered by NU’s Center for High-rate Nanomaufacturing – the Nanoscale Offset Printing System, or NanoOPS – and to expand the capabilities of the NanoOPS research lab/facility located at NU’s Kostas Institute in Burlington.
(Photo courtesy Northeastern University.)