Flexible and printed electronics manufacturers developed some interesting products during the past year, either reaching or nearing commercialization. Here is Printed Electronics Now’s list of Most Intriguing Flexible and Printed Electronics Products of 2022.

In alphabetical order:

• Bridgestone Japan and Avery Dennison – Maxdura Tire Tag for GT Racing 

The use of RFID has been on the rise in many fields. Apparel has always been a popular usage, but RFID is finding a home in many areas, from luggage to sport memorabilia and much more. You can add tires to that list. RFID manufacturers have long been involved in the tire market, with applications ranging from logistics and production all the way through to real-time inventory and recycling.

The announcement that Bridgestone Japan is collaborating with Avery Dennison for RFID for its Grand Touring (GT) Racing team is a perfect example of this. Bridgestone Japan selected Avery Dennison’s Maxdura Tire Tag to be used for Grand Touring (GT) racing car teams. This will allow the tire manufacturer to keep track of logistics as well as performance, which is a benefit for its team.

• The Digital Cellulose Center (DCC) – Paper Supercapacitors

Printed electronics have been suggested for a wide range of applications. Perhaps one of the most interesting and innovative possibilities is a paper supercapacitor, capable of storing and releasing energy. The capacitor would be both thin and flexible, and ideal for applications ranging from the IoT to building walls.

The Digital Cellulose Center, a competence center run by RISE, Linkoping University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, has already developed prototypes, which utilize cellulose harvested from Sweden’s plentiful forests. The supercapacitors are a blend of cellulose and electroactive materials which can be formed in a machine that can produce paper. The papers are coated with aluminum, which functions as the device’s current collector as well as a moisture and oxygen barrier. The paper is produced by papermaking equipment, and the circuits are then screenprinted.

• Grapheal – TestNPass Test Strip Technology

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was tremendous interest in developing test strips to detect biomarkers. The pandemic has heightened that interest. Meanwhile, researchers have been working on uses for graphene, and are finding new opportunities for the technology.

Grapheal, a France-based associated member of the Graphene Flagship, has merged these two fields with its TestNPass technology. Grapheal’s TestNPass technology features a stand-alone test strip to detect biomarkers that is connected to a smartphone. After the test, the test strip delivers a time-stamped, encrypted RFID tag. Graphene provides outstanding sensitivity within the test digital biosensor. Since the device is simultaneously coupled with a free smartphone app through NFC, the test results become immediately available on your digital device, quicker than traditional COVID passports. To protect the users’ privacy, TestNPass uses secure biometric identifiers and encrypted RFID technology.

TestNPass caught the eye of the judges at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), earning the technology the “Best in Innovation” Award.

• Identiv, 1. FC Koln – NFC-Enabled Scarf for Fans

The use of NFC is expanding throughout the sports world, as the ability to connect with fans while also certifying authenticity of the product are both attractive to the teams. Such is the case with Identiv’s latest project, a partnership with German Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln. Working with collectID, which specializes on jersey experiences, Identiv has delivered an NFC-enabled immersive fan experience for the German football club, providing NFC life-of-garment tags to provide fans with enhanced real-time match day access to exclusive digital content.

In this case, a digitized scarf was created. The scarves can withstand more than 100 hot and cold wash and dryer cycles. The scarf took the place of a conventional or mobile ticket, providing entry to the stadium. In addition, users were able to access exclusive real-time digital content during the match while also receiving rewards and offers, for example, fans with a registered scarf were invited to redeem a free pretzel in the second half.

• Lumitronix – Flexible LED Modules

Flexible lighting offers so many opportunities for designers, who can create lighting that fits whatever space and shape they wish. The challenge is developing the system. Lumitronix may have the answer here. Founded in 2005 by Christian Hoffmann and Paul Sparenborg, Lumitronix began as a rigid LED lamp and module producer. With that knowledge, the company is now successfully working on producing flexible lighting on reel-to-reel, and Lumitronix offers commercially a wide standard portfolio of self-produced flexible LED modules – 100% made in Germany.

Lumitronix is substrate agnostic, using polyimide (PI), PET and paper as well as other substrates. Lumiotronix’s LUMPROTECT® lamination process is unique in that it protects without taking away flexibility.