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Wafer scale transition metal dichalcogenide films grown by MOCVD using two different chalcogen precursors are assessed for layer homogeneity and quality. These characteristics are then compared to electrical properties on the growth substrate. 

Abstract Inflatable structures, promising for future deep space exploration missions, are vulnerable to damage from micrometeoroid and orbital debris impacts. Polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-trFE) is a flexible, biocompatible, and chemical-resistant material capable of detecting impact forces due to its piezoelectric properties. This study used a state-of-the-art material extrusion system that has been validated for in-space manufacturing, to facilitate fast-prototyping of consistent and uniform PVDF-trFE films. By systematically investigating ink synthesis, printer settings, and post-processing conditions, this research established a comprehensive understanding of the process-structure-property relationship of printed PVDF-trFE. Consequently, this study consistently achieved the printing of PVDF-trFE films with a thickness of around 40µm, accompanied by an impressive piezoelectric coefficient of up to 25 pC N⁻¹. Additionally, an all-printed dynamic force sensor, featuring a sensitivity of 1.18 V N⁻¹, was produced by mix printing commercial electrically-conductive silver inks with the customized PVDF-trFE inks. This pioneering on-demand fabrication technique for PVDF-trFE films empowers future astronauts to design and manufacture piezoelectric sensors while in space, thereby significantly enhancing the affordability and sustainability of deep space exploration missions. 

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) convert temperature differences into electrical power and are attractive among energy harvesting devices due to their autonomous and silent operation. While thermoelectric materials have undergone substantial improvements in material properties, a reliable and cost-effective fabrication method suitable for microgravity and space applications remains a challenge, particularly as commercial space flight and extended crewed space missions increase in frequency. This paper demonstrates the use of plasma-jet printing (PJP), a gravity-independent, electromagnetic field-assisted printing technology, to deposit colloidal thermoelectric nanoflakes with engineered nanopores onto flexible substrates at room temperature. We observe substantial improvements in material adhesion and flexibility with less than 2% and 11% variation in performance after 10 000 bending cycles over 25 mm and 8 mm radii of curvature, respectively, as compared to previously reported TE films. Our printed films demonstrate electrical conductivity of 2.5 × 10 3 S m −1 and a power factor of 70 μW m −1 K −2 at room temperature. To our knowledge, these are the first reported values of plasma-jet printed thermoelectric nanomaterial films. This advancement in plasma jet printing significantly promotes the development of nanoengineered 2D and layered materials not only for energy harvesting but also for the development of large-scale flexible electronics and sensors for both space and commercial applications. 

Abstract Lightweight energy storage devices are essential for developing compact wearable and distributed electronics, and additive manufacturing offers a scalable, low‐cost approach to fabricating such devices with complex geometries. However, additive manufacturing of high‐performance, on‐demand energy storage devices remains challenging due to the need for stable, multifunctional nanomaterial inks. Herein, the development of 2‐dimensional (2D) titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂T_xMXene) ink that is compatible with aerosol jet printing for energy storage applications is demonstrated. The developed MXene ink demonstrates long‐term chemical and physical stability, ensuring consistent printability and achieving high‐resolution prints (≈45 µm width lines) with minimal overspray. The high‐resolution aerosol‐jet printed MXene supercapacitor achieves an areal capacitance of 122 mF cm⁻²and a volumetric capacitance of 611 F cm⁻³, placing them among the highest‐performing printed supercapacitors reported to date. These findings highlight the potential of aerosol jet printing with MXene inks for on‐demand, scalable, and cost‐effective fabrication of printed electronic and electrochemical devices.