If humans one day settle Mars, they will need tools and parts to build structures on the planet. Carrying heavy, bulky supplies 34 million miles from Earth would be impractical. A better plan, says Zane Mebruer, a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas (U of A), would be 3D printing items on the Red Planet. His new research, completed while he was an honors undergraduate in mechanical engineering at the U of A, suggests it may be possible.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have found that a sulfide coating on nickel-rich cathodes can significantly increase the life, power and safety of lithium batteries.
A new $3.5 million award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology confirms the University of Arkansas’ place as a world leader in power packing research and development. The award will allow the High-Density Electronics Center (or HIDEC) to upgrade its facility and become a Power Packaging Center of Excellence.
What is power packaging?
Consider the boxy plug of a cell phone charger. It converts the AC electricity coming out of the wall outlet to the DC power charging the battery. The various elements inside the plug that allow it to do this are its “power packaging,” all of which is built around a semi-conducting material.
