Military applications are a key area of interest for flexible, hybrid and printed electronics. The ability to create lighter weight, flexible displays were one application, as are sensors that could help soldiers and pilots perform their tasks more safely and effectively. The military has, in, fact, played a leading role in the formation of NextFlex, a cooperative agreement between the US Department of Defense and FlexTech Alliance.

SI2 Technologies is a leader in the field of flexible antennas and arrays for military applications. Founded in 2003, SI2 is a privately held, high-technology company located in Billerica, MA. Its mission is to enable US warfighters to win by providing solutions to RF/MW and survivability challenges.

“Our initial technology focus was on printed electronics for flexible, conformal and/or structurally integrated antennas and arrays,” said Joseph M. Kunze, Ph.D., founder, president and CEO of SI2. “Today, our printing technology has become one of the manufacturing methods we employ to enhance the design space in addition to more conventional methods.”

“We utilize contract R&D opportunities from the US government to develop new technologies in our area of expertise for the warfighter,” added Capt. Jonathan E. Lathrop, USN  (ret), AE – EVP, programs and business development for SI2. “As those technologies mature, we transition them into products which are typically sold to the government through large prime contractors. Because of our company’s growth over the years, large prime contractors who initially sought us out for R&D activities now seek our expertise for both R&D and product development work.”

SI2’s products focus on two main areas: printed absorbers and antenna and array systems. Both use conventional and flexible electronic attributes, depending upon the specific application. The company’s sole focus is on the defense market.

Dr. Kunze noted that flexible electronics are key to SI2’s development of its antenna and array systems.

“We utilize flexible electronics to increase the design space of our systems to meet the demanding requirements of our Department of Defense (DOD) customers,” Dr. Kunze noted. “While we design many systems, which can be fabricated using conventional methods, the unique challenges we take on for the DOD often require us to look at alternative and cutting-edge techniques to meet cost and performance objectives. Flexible electronics is one of those techniques.”

Over the years, SI2 has had to overcome numerous challenges, beginning with finding qualified engineers for their high-tech R&D projects.

“Like many growing technology companies, our biggest challenge has been the ability to find qualified engineers,” Dr. Kunze noted. “Our company is sited in an area which historically has had an unemployment rate lower than the national average… even during the great recession. Factor in the high demand for electrical engineers and the US citizenship requirement that we must comply with for our DOD contracts, and the challenge becomes even more apparent.”

Dr. Kunze added that SI2 has developed several unique approaches to address this challenge.

“We work closely with local colleges and universities, such as UMass Lowell, and hire students over the summer to expose them to our field and gauge their interest in pursuing a career in engineering,” he noted. “In addition, we are currently working with NextFlex to bring its Work Force Development activities, which start in elementary school and extend through college graduate school, to our area to help build a pipeline of qualified candidates. We also work closely with our employees to provide them with unique career path options which are mutually beneficial.”

SI2 has been collaborating on projects coordinated by both MassTech and NextFlex, which is leading to new developments.

“The collaboration between SI2, MassTech (through M2I2) and NextFlex has been extremely beneficial,” Capt. Lathrop said. “For example, M2I2 has provided SI2 with the required cost-share for proposals submitted to NextFlex. Working with like-minded partners, SI2 is able to increase its output and its success ratio. The projects that we have developed enabled us to put in place unique manufacturing capabilities such as the ability to digitally print antennas onto large curved surfaces such as a wing or radome.”

“When we began working with M2I2 and NextFlex in 2015, SI2 had 14 employees,” Dr. Kunze added. “We now have over 30 employees and growing. Our collaboration with M2I2 and NextFlex is one of the reasons for that growth.”

Dr. Kunze noted that SI2has high expectations for the flexible electronics field.

“Our outlook for flexible electronics is very bullish,” Dr. Kunze concluded. “Having worked in the field for over 15 years, we have witnessed and contributed to the advances that have been made in recent years. These advances demonstrate that the technology has matured to the point where it can be applied to many product applications… not just antennas and arrays which is SI2’s focus. What was once thought of as ‘exciting research’ 10 years ago has begun to bear fruits in terms of manufacturing products for the consumer, medical and government markets. We’re excited to be part of that next chapter.”