NextFlex Awards Five Flexible Hybrid Electronics Pioneers with 2022 Fellow Awards

NextFlex, America’s Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) Manufacturing Institute, presented the annual NextFlex Fellow Awards to five deserving individuals, recognizing their outstanding contributions to FHE.

Each year, NextFlex presents Fellow Awards to individuals who have gone above and beyond to positively impact the FHE manufacturing community. This year marks the seventh time that the membership has gathered to celebrate incoming NextFlex Fellows for their achievements.

The honorees are:
• Dr. Massood Atashbar, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a founding member of NextFlex, and since the Institute’s start, Dr. Atashbar has been a driving force in many activities. He is a voting member of the Technical Council, a co-lead of the Printed Components and Microfluidics Technical Working Group and is a participant in the Flexible Power Technical Working Group. Dr. Atashbar has reviewed proposals for every NextFlex project call to date and has served as a Technical Advisor for project calls.

• Nick Koop, Director of Flex Technology, TTM Technologies
Koop has been instrumental in working inside TTM Technologies to expand the circle of interest in flexible and printed hybrid electronics and NextFlex activities. Koop has actively participated in planning NextFlex workshops and events, and he’s brought forward opportunities for the FHE community to collectively address. Koop has served as a Technical Advisor for NextFlex projects and is a participant in the Device Integration and Packaging Technical Working Group.

• Dr. Michael McCreary, Chief Innovation Officer, E-Ink Corporation
Dr. McCreary was a driving force in the formation of NextFlex, and E-Ink is a founding member of NextFlex. Dr. McCreary’s extensive knowledge, connections and interest in the field are well known, and we appreciate that over the years he has encouraged others to connect with us. E-Ink supported several NextFlex projects, and Dr. McCreary is actively working inside the company to help his colleagues connect with NextFlex technical resources.

• Heath McNaughton, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), Alabama Air National Guard
LtCol McNaughton was vital to the launch of FlexMil, NextFlex’s outreach and engagement program for members of the military community. His support and guidance through the piloting period provided critical insights into refining and structuring the program to achieve maximum impact for service members and veterans.

• Jim Zunino, Senior Scientific Technical Manager for Munitions Future Concepts and S&T Army Technical Area Chief (TAC-1) Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, U.S. Army Futures Command, Combat Capabilities Development Command, Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal
Zunino is an expert in multi-functional additive manufacturing and his vision for developing the FHE manufacturing ecosystem is demonstrated in his interest in working with companies, academia, and partners across government agencies to optimize collaboration. He is a thought leader and is pivotal to the successful development of 3D printed hybrid electronics and conformal electronics.

“We are incredibly grateful to this year’s recipients for the contributions they have made toward advancing the FHE ecosystem,” said NextFlex executive director Dr. Malcolm Thompson. “By staying on the cutting edge of technological advancements and career paths through Project Calls, Technical Working Groups, and Workforce Development programs, these individuals have greatly expanded the impact that advanced manufacturing has on our community and beyond.”