David Savastano, Editor11.10.17
For years, the field of flexible and printed electronics has been seen as a great opportunity for new products and applications that will play an increasingly important role in our everyday lives. This promise is starting to be fulfilled.
In particular, sensors are one of the most prominent early successes. These sensors are appearing in numerous markets ranging from medical, airplanes and automobiles to packaging and cosmetics, just to name a few. Glucose strips were an early success, but now these sensors are finding opportunities in more commercial and industrial spaces.
In “Flexible Hybrid Electronics and Sensors,” beginning on page 13, I highlight a few of these successes, notably L’Oreal’s My UV Patch skin sensor and the work being done at Boeing in developing sensors for aircraft. In addition, industry leaders throughout the supply chain are reporting projects and products that are in the works.
This is also the case with the interest in data loggers for temperature, humidity and other conditions. The Internet of Things will require billions of sensors eventually, and monitoring temperature for perishable items such as food, pharmaceuticals, flowers and other goods both ensures good quality and product authenticity. In “Temperature Loggers are Finding New Opportunities,” which begins on page 16, I speak with industry leaders in this field, who describe projects they are working on, and how printing is playing a role.
Quantum dots are another interesting area. Cadmium-free quantum dots are capturing the market, with excellent growth being seen with Samsung’s QD TV sales. While European regulators haven’t completely outlawed cadmium for use in displays, it appears that major display manufacturers are essentially making the decision academic. Our feature on quantum dots, “Quantum Dots Make Major Gains in the Display Market,” beginning on page 19, looks at the commercial and regulatory landscape.
We are seeing many new opportunities in sensors as well as other markets. It is an increasingly interesting time for the flexible and printed electronics sector.
In particular, sensors are one of the most prominent early successes. These sensors are appearing in numerous markets ranging from medical, airplanes and automobiles to packaging and cosmetics, just to name a few. Glucose strips were an early success, but now these sensors are finding opportunities in more commercial and industrial spaces.
In “Flexible Hybrid Electronics and Sensors,” beginning on page 13, I highlight a few of these successes, notably L’Oreal’s My UV Patch skin sensor and the work being done at Boeing in developing sensors for aircraft. In addition, industry leaders throughout the supply chain are reporting projects and products that are in the works.
This is also the case with the interest in data loggers for temperature, humidity and other conditions. The Internet of Things will require billions of sensors eventually, and monitoring temperature for perishable items such as food, pharmaceuticals, flowers and other goods both ensures good quality and product authenticity. In “Temperature Loggers are Finding New Opportunities,” which begins on page 16, I speak with industry leaders in this field, who describe projects they are working on, and how printing is playing a role.
Quantum dots are another interesting area. Cadmium-free quantum dots are capturing the market, with excellent growth being seen with Samsung’s QD TV sales. While European regulators haven’t completely outlawed cadmium for use in displays, it appears that major display manufacturers are essentially making the decision academic. Our feature on quantum dots, “Quantum Dots Make Major Gains in the Display Market,” beginning on page 19, looks at the commercial and regulatory landscape.
We are seeing many new opportunities in sensors as well as other markets. It is an increasingly interesting time for the flexible and printed electronics sector.
