David Savastano, Editor03.09.18
The flexible and printed electronics industry has changed tremendously over the years, and where the industry may be heading is certainly open for debate. The potential applications appear to be virtually endless.
Those are some of the takeaways from conversations I had with industry leaders, which appear in “The Present and Future of Flexible and Printed Electronics”.
For example, when discussing the developments of the past decade, a few executives recalled that the idea of printed electronics was that the entire system would be printed. That has largely proved to be unworkable. However, once the concept of hybrid electronics emerged, so too did new opportunities. The ability to add silicon-based electronics to a system that could be partially printed has advantages in performance and manufacturing, and we are seeing these systems moving ahead into the market.
Some key markets 10 years ago, most notably being organic photovoltaics, never met expectations. Others, like printed OLEDs, have evolved into flexible devices. And that is where the present is, with flexible systems that offer benefits like new form factors.
The future is the most interesting aspect of the article. Today we are seeing sensors making their way into numerous objects, and with the Internet of Things, Smart Clothing, Smart Homes, Smart Vehicles, Smart Packaging and more on the horizon, there will potentially be billions of sensors required. This is ideal for flexible, hybrid and printed electronics.
It is interesting to see how this industry has evolved over time, and it will be fascinating to see this technology weave its way into the fabric of everyday life in the coming years.
Those are some of the takeaways from conversations I had with industry leaders, which appear in “The Present and Future of Flexible and Printed Electronics”.
For example, when discussing the developments of the past decade, a few executives recalled that the idea of printed electronics was that the entire system would be printed. That has largely proved to be unworkable. However, once the concept of hybrid electronics emerged, so too did new opportunities. The ability to add silicon-based electronics to a system that could be partially printed has advantages in performance and manufacturing, and we are seeing these systems moving ahead into the market.
Some key markets 10 years ago, most notably being organic photovoltaics, never met expectations. Others, like printed OLEDs, have evolved into flexible devices. And that is where the present is, with flexible systems that offer benefits like new form factors.
The future is the most interesting aspect of the article. Today we are seeing sensors making their way into numerous objects, and with the Internet of Things, Smart Clothing, Smart Homes, Smart Vehicles, Smart Packaging and more on the horizon, there will potentially be billions of sensors required. This is ideal for flexible, hybrid and printed electronics.
It is interesting to see how this industry has evolved over time, and it will be fascinating to see this technology weave its way into the fabric of everyday life in the coming years.