Mapping the Future of Flexible and Printed Electronics
March 2, 2023 | OE-AEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
“The last couple of years since the release of the previous Roadmap have seen continued innovation regarding the adoption of printed, flexible, and hybrid electronics in a wide range of products and markets,” states Stan Farnsworth, Chair of the OE-A Board and Chief Marketing Officer at PulseForge. This 9th edition of the Roadmap published by the OE-A (Organic and Printed Electronics Association), a working group within VDMA, is presented today at LOPEC 2023 and outlines the present status, current and future opportunities for the industry.
Major Trends in Key Markets
The “OE-A Roadmap for Flexible, Organic and Printed Electronics” white paper provides a close look into the advancing maturity of the industry. In addition to updates on key technologies and capabilities, more than 100 industry experts have contributed detailed short, medium, and long-term forecasts for markets including Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Healthcare, Printing and Packaging, Smart Building, and Internet of Things.
In the automotive sector, where the use of the technology has already been widely adopted for rear lights, OLED lighting has now reached the car interior. Use of OLED displays for curved displays, lighting concepts and touch sensors inside the car are anticipated to see continuing growth. When considering trends in consumer electronics the roadmap focuses
A Working Group Within
on HMI, as increasingly touch sensors are replacing mechanical knobs and buttons. Smart phones with foldable displays are growing in popularity. The use of printed electronics in the healthcare industry and packaging market was accelerated by Covid. Smart patches for monitoring body functions are more widespread, and tracking of environmental parameters such as temperature and shock is of growing importance. The seamless integration of printed electronics into objects is of special relevance for the Internet of Things. RFID and NFC labels, smart tags, which can now also include integrated GPS, are working as a strong driver. For the Smart Building industry, the increasing need of improved sustainability has led to significant innovations. Organic and large area printed photovoltaic installations on roofs are becoming more widely used, while the need for advanced sensors is opening opportunities for printed electronics in building monitoring and control.
Printed electronics drives sustainability
“Printed electronics technologies have a lot to offer when it comes to sustainable production processes and materials. Printing, as an additive process, consumes less material and energy, and reduces the amount of waste. Printing plus related advanced processing enables broader use of recycled or eco-friendly materials to support product lifecycle circularity.” explains Stan Farnsworth.
What is afoot?
The trend is towards more stretchable materials which fit for applications in medical, sports and for clothing. The mobility sector, via electric cars and autonomous driving, offers new possibilities such as printed sensors, integrated control and interface systems, and evolved battery-related technologies. "Product development must think printed electronics by design. Printed and hybrid electronics do present opportunities for incremental product improvements, but even more so the opportunities are deeper. In our experience, manufacturers are ready,” explains Farnsworth.
Suggested Items
Warm Windows and Streamlined Skin Patches – IDTechEx Explores Flexible and Printed Electronics
04/26/2024 | IDTechExFlexible and printed electronics can be integrated into cars and homes to create modern aesthetics that are beneficial and easy to use. From luminous car controls to food labels that communicate the quality of food, the uses of this technology are endless and can upgrade many areas of everyday life.
Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics
04/24/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn our fast-changing, deeply competitive, and margin-tight industry, factory analytics can be the key to unlocking untapped improvements to guarantee a thriving business. On top of that, electronics manufacturers are facing a tremendous burden to do more with less. If you don't already have a copy of this book, what follows is an excerpt from the introduction chapter of 'The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics: Unlocking Efficiency Through Data Insights' to whet your appetite.
Listen Up! The Intricacies of PCB Drilling Detailed in New Podcast Episode
04/25/2024 | I-Connect007In episode 5 of the podcast series, On the Line With: Designing for Reality, Nolan Johnson and Matt Stevenson continue down the manufacturing process, this time focusing on the post-lamination drilling process for PCBs. Matt and Nolan delve into the intricacies of the PCB drilling process, highlighting the importance of hole quality, drill parameters, and design optimization to ensure smooth manufacturing. The conversation covers topics such as drill bit sizes, aspect ratios, vias, challenges in drilling, and ways to enhance efficiency in the drilling department.
Elevating PCB Design Engineering With IPC Programs
04/24/2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCIn a monumental stride for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC has successfully championed the recognition of the PCB Design Engineer as an official occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This pivotal achievement not only underscores the critical role of PCB design engineers within the technology landscape, but also marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward nurturing a robust, skilled workforce ready to propel our industry into the future.
Winner of The Science Show Rakett 69 Receives Incap Scholarship
04/24/2024 | IncapThe winner of the Rakett 69 science show, Andri Türkson, who stood out as an electronics enthusiast, received a scholarship from Incap Estonia, along with an internship opportunity in Saaremaa.