Printed intelligence enables cheap production of new smart products
New industry by combining IT and printing technology
By combining IT, electronics and printing technologies, VTT Technical Research
Centre of Finland is in the process of creating entirely new business
opportunities based on printed smart products. In cooperation with a number of
other companies, VTT is using the roll-to-roll technology to develop
innovative, printed smart products, which will open up new opportunities for
both big and small production facilities. In the future, we may well find
ourselves using products such as functional wallpaper that can identify mildew
or a smart floor that functions as a user interface for dementia patients or
even food products that indicate their own freshness.
Breaking new ground
VTT has considerable competence as a developer of printed smart technologies both at the domestic and international level. VTT’s new Center for Printed Intelligence seeks to break new ground in the area between the traditional ICT industry and the paper industry. The aim is to promote the commercialisation and birth of business for new products that utilise both of these industries. Applications are aimed at the global markets through mass production. By using current printing technologies, it is already possible to create new kinds of smart products with even the simplest printing machines, although the volumes are considerable.
Immense possibilities of multi-technological smart products
The application possibilities are immense. Product groups already in development include multi-technological smart products and bioactive paper, as well as ICT and electronics products.
Of particular note among the multi-technological smart products are organic, flexible solar cells, simple displays and disposable sensors that can be utilised in home diagnostics and smart packaging. Electronics created out of ink-type materials, such as disposable bio sensors, can add intelligence and functionality as indicators of freshness in food product packaging, without actually being electronic in nature.
Sensors and filters from bioactive paper
In the field of bioactive paper, application possibilities are being sought among smart products manufactured for large surfaces. In our vision of the future, these may include smart wallpaper with embedded molecules that can identify mildew, press sensors in newspapers that can measure pollen levels in the air, and filters that can be used in air-conditioning devices or respirator masks.
The opportunities for affordable combinations of ICT and electronics products are considerable. Printed and organic electronics can be incorporated in large area interfaces, which can prove useful in, for example, nursing services. The manufacture of smart flooring with pressure sensors functioning as a user interface for dementia patients is also a future possibility. Such technology would make it possible to monitor whether a patient is walking or perhaps lying on the floor in need of help.
Flexible electronics products
Printing methods also enable the production of flexible ICT and electronics products. Printed smart products may also be equipped with safety-related product data displaying such information as the origins and authenticity of a product.
Additional information
- Harri Kopola
- Research Professor
- +358 20 722 2369
VTT is an impartial expert organisation. Its objective is to develop new technologies, create new innovations and value added thus increasing customer's competencies. With its know how VTT produces research, development, testing and information services to public sector and companies as well as international organisations.