09.03.15
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has announced a new project to develop a novel printed energy harvesting device that is powered by near-field communication (NFC). The device will facilitate the wider adoption of NFC-enabled applications in consumer packaging, document and brand security, in addition to wireless sensor networks for defense, healthcare and medical devices.
The 18 month Innovate UK project titled HaRFest is being led by PragmatIC Printing Ltd, a global leader in flexible integrated circuits, and involves CPI alongside the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Large-Area Electronics, represented by its academic partners, the University of Cambridge and the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (Swansea University).
The device will house a printed antenna alongside printed passive and active components, including an array of tuning capacitors.
The Internet of Things and NFC are increasingly gathering attention from businesses, technology providers and most importantly the modern day consumer. NFC allows consumers to intuitively communicate with everyday items such as product packaging. The printing of electronic functionality has enabled product designers to embed technology into their designs, creating innovative components that are low cost, smarter, lightweight and wireless.
Applications are numerous, from interactive point-of-sale products and branding to disposable printed bio-sensors used in blood analysis and unobtrusive printed smart labels that allow for identification and anti-counterfeiting control. The integration of advanced printed sensors into packaging opens up a wide range of market opportunities to create products with added value. Sensors can be designed to indicate the validity or quality of a product or whether the packaging has been subject to tampering or excursions during its transport and storage prior to purchase.
“The challenge ahead is to develop the energy harvesting technology which is proven at laboratory scale and to move it towards the volumes and price points that facilitate mass market adoption,” said Sandy Gunn, business development manager at CPI.
The 18 month Innovate UK project titled HaRFest is being led by PragmatIC Printing Ltd, a global leader in flexible integrated circuits, and involves CPI alongside the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Large-Area Electronics, represented by its academic partners, the University of Cambridge and the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (Swansea University).
The device will house a printed antenna alongside printed passive and active components, including an array of tuning capacitors.
The Internet of Things and NFC are increasingly gathering attention from businesses, technology providers and most importantly the modern day consumer. NFC allows consumers to intuitively communicate with everyday items such as product packaging. The printing of electronic functionality has enabled product designers to embed technology into their designs, creating innovative components that are low cost, smarter, lightweight and wireless.
Applications are numerous, from interactive point-of-sale products and branding to disposable printed bio-sensors used in blood analysis and unobtrusive printed smart labels that allow for identification and anti-counterfeiting control. The integration of advanced printed sensors into packaging opens up a wide range of market opportunities to create products with added value. Sensors can be designed to indicate the validity or quality of a product or whether the packaging has been subject to tampering or excursions during its transport and storage prior to purchase.
“The challenge ahead is to develop the energy harvesting technology which is proven at laboratory scale and to move it towards the volumes and price points that facilitate mass market adoption,” said Sandy Gunn, business development manager at CPI.