Technology

Printed Electronics is a new technology which, by making use of conventional printed methods, can lead to the production of simple, fast and cheap electronic products. This will automatically involve a radical rejuvenation of production methods as new materials and methods will be incorporated which in turn will lead to producing electronics in a completely new way. Thus opening the door to the development of entirely new products.

When discussing possible products the following four productions areas are obvious choices:

• Electronic identification – e-id. A unique identification alternative involving concealed information which can be accessed and analysed by a computer.
• Dry phase patterning (DPP) allows for extremely cheap production of for example, aerials and heated foil.
• Simple, printed electronic displays for managing security information such as safety labels with simple control methods.
• Printed electronic system for packaging (smart packaging) used, for example in everyday commodities. Even toys and games can contain Printed Electronics.

New Production Techniques – new opportunities
The field of Printed Electronics is developing fast, moving from research to end product. The technological platform is based on components which include transistors, conductors, resistances, displays, press buttons, batteries and aerials. All these components can/will be printed on the next generations’ packaging materials in the same way we use four-colour printing. This technology platform can be incorporated in the following functions:

• Transport history, for example, what experiences have a certain product has been subjected to: damp, temperature, freezing, de-frosting etc.
• Time function for fresh product, hair-colour products etc
• Thermometer on chilled products, warm/cold drinks
• Displays and/or interactive messages to increase sales or provide important information about a product.
• Electronic legible identity codes used in such areas as traceability as well as providing further information about a product
• Medicine packaging which provides information as to when and if it has been taken
• Concealed electronic legible codes indicating authenticity

The next generation of packaging materials will include such things as bio electronics which can be used in the following functions:

• Sensor indicating a products conditions, such as foodstuffs or other fresh products
• Medicine packaging providing simple diagnostic tests or analyses

Intelligent products
Printed electronics adds intelligence to packaging and products which, in some ways, goes beyond the traditional understanding of electronics. This is clear when it will soon be possible to follow the history log of a product, or read a description of the status of the product directly from its packaging or from the product itself. Printed Electronics will probably become a complement to the existing electronic solutions of many products and packagings as it will provide the consumer with information not available today due to costs.