Lukáš Čambala US Defense Secretary Ash Carter last week awarded exactly 75 million dollars (1,8 billion crowns) to help a consortium of technology companies and scientists to help develop electronic systems containing flexible sensors that could be used by soldiers or aircraft without any problems.
The Obama administration's newest manufacturing institute will focus all its resources on a consortium of 162 companies, called the FlexTech Alliance, which includes not only technology firms like Apple or aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, but also universities and other interest groups.
The FlexTech Alliance will seek to accelerate the development and production of so-called flexible hybrid electronics, which can be equipped with sensors that can be twisted, stretched and bent at will to fully adapt to, for example, the body of an aircraft or other device.
The US Department of Defense said that the rapid development of new technologies around the world is forcing the Pentagon to work more closely with the private sector, as it is no longer enough to develop all the technology itself, as it once did. The governments of individual states will also participate in the financing, so the total funds for five years should rise to 171 million dollars (4,1 billion crowns).
The new innovation hub, which will be based in San Jose and will also house the FlexTech Alliance, is the seventh of nine institutes planned by the Obama administration. Obama wants to revive the American manufacturing base with this step. Among the first institutes is the one from 2012, where the development of 3D printing took place. It is precisely 3D printing that will be used to a large extent for new electronics that are intended to serve soldiers.
Scientists also hope for direct implementation of the technology into the hulls of ships, planes and other platforms, where they could be used for real-time monitoring.
