Industrial production of printed and organic sensors grows

InnovationLab has partnered with Heidelberg, resulting in the mass production of inexpensive printed and organic sensors, releasing companies to create and produce low-cost customised pressure sensors on an industrial scale.

Printing sensors only need a two-step process, saving time and resources and reducing BOM costs. Sensors can be printed on flexible, even biodegradable materials, including textiles that introduce new uses including foils of printed sensors that wrap around car batteries to monitor battery health in real-time as well as printed sensors in bandages to monitor the pressure on or moisture of a wound. Printed flexible sensors on food items can track supply chain conditions like compliance with the cold chain.

“Embarking on the development and industrial production of printed and organic electronics represents a milestone for Heidelberg and for Germany as an industrial player. As we see it, our involvement in this production of high-tech sensors opens up the potential for growth in the two to three-digit million euro range,” said Rainer Hundsdörfer, CEO, Heidelberg. “Our partnership with InnovationLab allows us to offer customers quality of design, reliability, a lower bill of materials, and the highest imaginable volumes. In fact, we have the capacity to produce enough sensors to cover a tennis court every hour under a reliable three-shift production system."

“The first step to the widespread adoption of printed and organic sensors is good design, which is one of our historic strengths,” said Luat Nguyen, managing director, InnovationLab. “The second is reliable, high-quality volume production. Our collaboration with Heidelberg fulfils both requirements, enabling us to provide a one-stop-shop for printed and organic electronics. Now we can give customers a quick transition from design and feasibility studies through market entry, all the way to mass production. This is our unique Lab2Fab concept.”