| Meet the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Joseph Andrews Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering |
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Research area The lab develops new printed electronic devices for interdisciplinary sensing applications and takes a holistic approach to the invention and design of electronic sensors. Layers of emphasis include ink development, sensor design and device validation. Applications of this research include biomedical research, “smart” objects, and wearable sensors.
What excites you about your work?
“We develop printable and flexible electronics for use in applications that can be enhanced by additive manufacturing methods that allow for flexible form factors. It’s a unique space in which to work; we develop electronics in form factors that have never been explored before. Applications include sensing temperature on non-planar structures for biomedical and industrial applications. For agricultural sensing, we develop large-area, flexible sensors that can integrate directly with tools, like cylindrical sensing probes, to gather information about soil nutrients.”
“I am also passionate about my role as an educator. I have the best job in the world—I get to work on really interesting technology and science, and at the end of the day, my main focus is on creating the next generation of independent scientists. I get to use my research as a tool to impact society and train grad students.”
What do you hope to achieve?
“We’re printing devices and electronics that have been previously investigated, but now we can print them in ways you can’t achieve with conventional techniques. This enables new applications. We know how these sensors will work and operate, but through printing them, or using other flexible electronics fabrication techniques, we can apply these sensors to new fields. I see us getting our sensors out into the commercial sector, making things safer and more environmentally friendly.”
The printed electronics and sensors that Joey develops will revolutionize a number of different industries from automotive to agriculture. It is a pleasure to work with such a talented researcher.
– Michael Carey, WARF, Licensing Manager
Want to learn more?
Michael Carey, [email protected], 608.960.9867