NextFlex

NextFlex. It is a leading institute within the United States Department of Defense's Manufacturing USA network, specifically focused on advancing the field of flexible hybrid electronics. Founded as a public-private partnership, its mission is to accelerate the adoption of flexible electronics technologies through collaborative research, workforce development, and ecosystem building. The institute operates from its headquarters in San Jose, California, within the broader Silicon Valley innovation landscape.

Overview

NextFlex serves as a central hub for industry, academia, and government to collaborate on next-generation electronics that conform, bend, and stretch. Its establishment was driven by a competitive award from the Department of Defense, with matching funds from consortium members, aligning with the national Advanced Functional Fabrics of America initiative. The institute’s activities are designed to strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness in a critical technological area, bridging the gap between foundational materials science research and commercial production. By fostering a robust innovation ecosystem, it aims to secure domestic leadership in emerging sectors like wearable technology and the Internet of Things.

History

The institute was formally launched in 2015, following a nationwide competition managed by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory on behalf of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. This effort was part of the broader Manufacturing USA initiative launched under the Obama administration to revitalize American industrial capabilities. Key founding members included entities like Flex Ltd., the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Boeing. In its early years, NextFlex established its flagship FlexLab facility in San Jose, California, a shared resource for prototyping and pilot production. Subsequent growth has seen the expansion of its project portfolio and membership base, with significant milestones including multi-million dollar funding rounds for its member-driven Technology Hub projects.

Technology and Research Focus

The core technological focus is on flexible hybrid electronics, which integrates traditional silicon-based components with novel printed electronics on flexible substrates like polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate. Key research thrusts include the development of advanced conductive inks, stretchable interconnects, and reliable manufacturing processes such as roll-to-roll processing. The institute funds and manages numerous projects addressing challenges in additive manufacturing for electronics, system-in-package design, and heterogeneous integration. These efforts are critical for enabling applications in demanding environments, from military systems to consumer health monitoring devices, and support advancements in adjacent fields like printed sensors and soft robotics.

Membership and Governance

NextFlex operates under a consortium model with a diverse membership spanning Fortune 500 companies, innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, top-tier research universities, and government laboratories. Notable members include Lockheed Martin, Apple Inc., the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the NASA Ames Research Center. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from industry and academia, while technical direction is set by a Technical Council. The executive leadership, including Executive Director Malcolm J. Thompson, oversees daily operations and strategic initiatives. Members gain access to shared facilities, collaborative project funding, and a network aimed at de-risking technology development and accelerating time to market.

Impact and Applications

The institute’s work has demonstrated significant impact through the development of prototype devices for sectors including aerospace, healthcare, and automotive industries. Specific applications include conformal sensors for aircraft structural health monitoring, wearable physiological status monitors for soldiers, and flexible patches for continuous patient monitoring. By reducing the technical and economic barriers to advanced manufacturing, NextFlex has contributed to the creation of new supply chains and job opportunities in advanced electronics. Its workforce development programs, in partnership with institutions like San Jose State University, aim to build a skilled talent pipeline, ensuring the sustainable growth of the flexible electronics industry in the United States and enhancing national security through technological innovation.

Category:Manufacturing organizations Category:Research institutes in California Category:Electronics organizations Category:Organizations established in 2015