David Savastano, Editor10.23.13
There are many companies developing components for printed electronics (PE) systems. However, the ability to successfully blend these components together into a stand-alone system has been a challenge.
Thin Film Electronics ASA (Thinfilm) has been focusing its efforts on this problem, developing the logic needed for the system as well as putting together an ecosystem of partners. In mid-October, Thinfilm announced the realization of its goal to successfully demonstrate its first fully functional, stand-alone Smart Sensor Label.
In June, Thinfilm announced it developed low-voltage display driver based on complementary organic logic, which proved to be a key component of the Smart Sensor Label.
“The Smart Sensor Label is a stand-alone, integrated system powered solely by batteries,” said Dr. Davor Sutija, Thinfilm’s CEO. “It is made possible by using a low-voltage display driver based on complementary organic logic. The sensor detects when a critical temperature threshold has been exceeded, and via logic, signals the display driver to turn on a segmented display. The Smart Sensor Label can then be used to monitor the temperature of perishable goods on an individual scale.”
To accomplish this landmark, Thinfilm put together a ecosystem of partners.
“Thinfilm has an ecosystem of partners making the integrated system possible,” Sutija said. “These include Polyera, who provides us the n-type semiconductor, and some other materials, and Acreo, who manufactures the display. PST Sensors delivered the sensors for this demonstration. ”
With the ecosystem in place, Thinfilm was able to overcome the technical challenges of the Smart Sensor Label.
“Creating a low-voltage display driver with complementary organic logic was key for the release of the stand-alone Smart Sensor Label,” Dr. Sutija noted. “We successfully demonstrated this technology a few months ago. Our breakthrough in June enabled us to create a display driver designed for commercial electronic printing that operates at just 6 volts, controlling an ultra-low-cost electrochromic display. With this announcement, we show that all of the logic operates below 9 volts, including that controlling the sensor.”
Dr. Sutija said that production is the next hurdle for the Smart Sensor Label to overcome.
“The components that build up the system need to be manufactured with production techniques that meet the cost targets,” Dr. Sutija noted. “We are driving the development of these components and techniques together with our partners. Also, the integration and assembly need to be done using high throughput manufacturing.”
Printed electronics offers numerous advantages for smart labels, particularly size, flexibility and cost, as the performance of the Smart Sensor Label provides numerous benefits for the brand owner and the end-user. Not surprisingly, Thinfilm is involved in talks with numerous brand owners.
“In addition to making the labels small and flexible, which is important for packaged goods, printed electronics allows the labels to be mass produced, which pushes the price down,” Dr. Sutija said. “This makes individual labeling, and therefore individual monitoring, possible for packaged goods and pharmaceuticals, where we often deal with extremely high quantities of disposable objects.
“We have received significant interest in a variety of markets such as fast moving consumer goods companies, packaging companies, toys and games, luxury goods companies, pharmaceutical companies to name just a few,” Dr. Sutija concluded.