PAPERONICS

Printed electronics is a megatrend for packaging, food and pharmaceutical industries because it is an enabling technology and accelerator for the other megatrends ‘internet of things’, ‘consumer interaction and feedback coupling via mobile phones’, ‘tracebility’ and ‘safety during online retail’, i.e. surveillance of storage and transport conditions’. SMEs are highly interest to serve this growing market but they face several challenges. These are addressed and solved by PAPERONICS.

Paper will be used as substrate because it is temperature stable, stiff, printable and a low cost material. The innovation target and the methodology will focus on SME benefits. SMEs have their strength to adapt business models and solutions for niche markets. The pre-competitive character and SME-focus of the project is provided by developing materials and generating results of higher value for SMEs.

• The research landscape and SME supply industry for printed electronics and delivery industry is fragmented. PAPERONICS will bring together SME and research centres from the entire value chain with the aim to foster innovation by mutual cooperation.
• Production of printed electronics must be simplified. Electronic components (solar cells, printed wires, antennas, OLEDs, RFIDs) are sensitive to water vapour and oxygen. To allow inexpensive processing in air, low-cost encapsulation materials with oxygen and water scavengers will be developed to allow encapsulation in air.
• Energy sources for printed electronics are costly. Printable, low cost energy supplies (e.g. super capacitors, coils, OPV) with a currently low technology readiness level will be developed further to a higher technology readiness level and combined with sensors.
• Many technologies are standalone solutions. PAPERONICS will integrate and develop a platform for existing technologies available for SMEs.
• Specific application scenarios are missing. PAPERONICS will reveal production and design ways to SME and develop different application scenarios.

In the CorNet project PAPERONICS the research organisations UHasselt, IMEC and KU Leuven from Flanders cooperate with Fraunhofer IVV, TU Chemnitz and PTS. The research and development work is shared between both countries. By exchange of results and joint cooperation the collaboration between both regions is intensified.