Dive Brief:
- The Defense Department has formed a consortium with more than 160 companies, nonprofits and universities to develop what it calls "flexible hybrid electronics."
- Among the consortium's goals is to create new wearable health monitoring devices for soldiers in the field.
- DOD will provide $75 million to the consortium. Another $90 million will come from governments, academic and industry sectors.
Dive Insight:
Wearables have uses that go far beyond the healthcare arena, of course. In announcing the consortium deal, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter noted the technology could have military and consumer implications as well.
The consortium will be headed by FlexTech Alliance, which will establish a hub for manufacturers to develop the technologies. The alliance is made up of universities and producers of thin-film electronics.