David Savastano, Editor01.02.20
Flexible and printed electronics manufacturers made some interesting headway toward commercialization during 2018, with promising products either reaching the market or getting close. Here is Printed Electronics Now’s list of Most Intriguing Flexible and Printed Electronics Products of 2019.
In alphabetical order:
• InviSense – Thin, Passive Humidity Sensors for Construction Industry
The idea of putting low-cost sensors into buildings to monitor temperature, humidity and other environmental factors is promising. As a leader in passive humidity sensors, InviSense AB is making this happen, partnering with Ynvisible Interactive Inc. for the roll-to-roll production and delivery of InviSense’s humidity sensor for flat roofs. The technology behind InviSense product was developed at RISE Acreo and Linköping University in the Printed Electronics Arena platform. InviSense’s passive moisture sensor is placed behind the sealing layers in building constructions and can be monitored for moisture damage. To monitor the moisture, you need InviSense moisture scanner and InviSense Cloud to collect the data.
• Kraft Heinz - Find the KRAFT Golden Singles’ Reward Scratch Game
Kraft Heinz, TPG Rewards, NXP Semiconductors and Identiv, Inc. developed “Find the KRAFT Golden Singles,” a reward scratch game. Identiv’s NFC-enabled tags are embedded into KRAFT Singles 24-count instant redeemable coupon (IRC) labels, which are available only at Walmart. By tapping with their smartphone, the shopper is given an opportunity to earn a $50 Walmart e-gift card at each participating store or receive recipes.
• Mammut Sports Group AG – NFC-Enabled Outdoor Products
For some innovative brands, using RFID and NFC-enabled to connect and communicate with their customers is particularly important. Mammut Sports Group AG, a major Switzerland-based outdoor brand, embedded Smartrac Circus Flex NFC tags, equipped with the NXP NTAG 213 IC, into some of its outdoor products. Through the Mammut Connect app, consumers can tap their smartphone on the product’s NFC touch point. The app then provides digital content and services to the customers, while retailers can gather product information to enhance sales. With the early returns being so positive, Mammut is fully committed to adding NFC capabilities to virtually its entire portfolio.
• PassiveBolt’s Shepherd Lock – Keyless Entry System
A recipient of a CES 2020 Innovation award, PassiveBolt’s Shepherd Lock is a keyless entry system with many features integrated into the smart surface. Shepherd Lock utilizes TactoTek’s IMSE technology. Printed electronics for circuitry, a capacitive touch control, contact pads for external connectivity and LEDs for illumination to indicate lock status, all molded within the IMSE cover. Shepherd Lock will be commercially available in early 2020.
• Tyre Recovery Association – Printed RFID Sensors to Process Used Tires
With 45 million used tires processed every year in the UK alone, keeping track of what is being done with the tires is of great interest to all. The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), which represents the UK’s tire recovery sector, tracks these tires. Flexible RFID-based sensors may provide the key to improving the processing of these tires. Partnering with TRA member Fraser Evans & Sons Ltd. and PragmatIC, which supplied the low-cost printed tags that were attached to the tires, the TRA recently completed a trial program utilizing RFID to track the tires to their ultimate use, such as reprocessing or retreading.
In alphabetical order:
• InviSense – Thin, Passive Humidity Sensors for Construction Industry
The idea of putting low-cost sensors into buildings to monitor temperature, humidity and other environmental factors is promising. As a leader in passive humidity sensors, InviSense AB is making this happen, partnering with Ynvisible Interactive Inc. for the roll-to-roll production and delivery of InviSense’s humidity sensor for flat roofs. The technology behind InviSense product was developed at RISE Acreo and Linköping University in the Printed Electronics Arena platform. InviSense’s passive moisture sensor is placed behind the sealing layers in building constructions and can be monitored for moisture damage. To monitor the moisture, you need InviSense moisture scanner and InviSense Cloud to collect the data.
• Kraft Heinz - Find the KRAFT Golden Singles’ Reward Scratch Game
Kraft Heinz, TPG Rewards, NXP Semiconductors and Identiv, Inc. developed “Find the KRAFT Golden Singles,” a reward scratch game. Identiv’s NFC-enabled tags are embedded into KRAFT Singles 24-count instant redeemable coupon (IRC) labels, which are available only at Walmart. By tapping with their smartphone, the shopper is given an opportunity to earn a $50 Walmart e-gift card at each participating store or receive recipes.
• Mammut Sports Group AG – NFC-Enabled Outdoor Products
For some innovative brands, using RFID and NFC-enabled to connect and communicate with their customers is particularly important. Mammut Sports Group AG, a major Switzerland-based outdoor brand, embedded Smartrac Circus Flex NFC tags, equipped with the NXP NTAG 213 IC, into some of its outdoor products. Through the Mammut Connect app, consumers can tap their smartphone on the product’s NFC touch point. The app then provides digital content and services to the customers, while retailers can gather product information to enhance sales. With the early returns being so positive, Mammut is fully committed to adding NFC capabilities to virtually its entire portfolio.
• PassiveBolt’s Shepherd Lock – Keyless Entry System
A recipient of a CES 2020 Innovation award, PassiveBolt’s Shepherd Lock is a keyless entry system with many features integrated into the smart surface. Shepherd Lock utilizes TactoTek’s IMSE technology. Printed electronics for circuitry, a capacitive touch control, contact pads for external connectivity and LEDs for illumination to indicate lock status, all molded within the IMSE cover. Shepherd Lock will be commercially available in early 2020.
• Tyre Recovery Association – Printed RFID Sensors to Process Used Tires
With 45 million used tires processed every year in the UK alone, keeping track of what is being done with the tires is of great interest to all. The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), which represents the UK’s tire recovery sector, tracks these tires. Flexible RFID-based sensors may provide the key to improving the processing of these tires. Partnering with TRA member Fraser Evans & Sons Ltd. and PragmatIC, which supplied the low-cost printed tags that were attached to the tires, the TRA recently completed a trial program utilizing RFID to track the tires to their ultimate use, such as reprocessing or retreading.
