# 82. 3D Printing Space Sensors & Solar Cell Windows

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-08-09
- Length: 34m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-09-82-3d-printing-space-sensors-solar-cell-windows
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/82-3d-printing-space-sensors-solar-cell-windows-nwehyWsh

## Summary

Hosts Farbod and Daniel discuss MIT's use of 3D printing with Vitrolite ceramic to manufacture low-cost Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) sensors for CubeSats, and the University of Michigan's development of semi-transparent organic solar cells for windows. They detail how digital light processing enables precise electrode housing fabrication, reducing costs from thousands to under $100, while a masking tape-like process allows scalable production of organic solar modules with 7.3% efficiency. The episode highlights the democratization of space sensor technology and the near-future commercialization of solar windows and OLED lighting.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-09-82-3d-printing-space-sensors-solar-cell-windows#t=0) Introduction: CubeSats and Mouser Electronics Sponsor Read
- [3:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-09-82-3d-printing-space-sensors-solar-cell-windows#t=205) MIT's 3D Printed RPA Sensors for CubeSats
- [9:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-09-82-3d-printing-space-sensors-solar-cell-windows#t=584) Vitrolite Ceramic and Digital Light Processing (DLP)
- [18:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-09-82-3d-printing-space-sensors-solar-cell-windows#t=1117) University of Michigan's Semi-Transparent Organic Solar Cells
- [25:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-09-82-3d-printing-space-sensors-solar-cell-windows#t=1530) Masking Tape Manufacturing Process for Solar Modules
- [31:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-09-82-3d-printing-space-sensors-solar-cell-windows#t=1865) OLED Lighting and Energy Efficiency Applications

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- CubeSats (product)
- MIT (company)
- Retarding Potential Analyzer (product)
- Vitrolite (material)
- University of Michigan (company)
- Professor Forrest (other)
- OLEDs (product)

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## Citing this page

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