Flexible and printed electronics manufacturers made some interesting headway toward commercialization during 2018, with promising products either reaching the market or getting close. Here is Printed Electronics Now’s list of Most Intriguing Flexible and Printed Electronics Products of 2018.
 
In alphabetical order:
 
• BeBop Sensors – Forte Wireless Data Glove
The recipient of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions 2018 Award, BeBop Systems’ Forte Wireless Data Glove can be used for a variety of applications, including industrial, medical, human factors, virtual reality, gaming, design and more. The gloves feature flexible sensors embedded in their fabric design, providing greater accuracy in tracking the user’s movements.
 
•  JOLED – 21.6 inch 4K OLED display for medical monitors
 
The promise of printing OLED TVs and displays are becoming a reality thanks to JOLED and other companies. Last year, JOLED launched its first printed display, its 21.6 inch 4K OLED display that is designed for medical applications. During Printed Electronics USA 2018, Dr. Toshiaki Arai, chief technologist and SID Fellow at JOLED, reported that the company is working on flexible OLED displays for 12” and 21.6” displays.
 
•  Lubrizol, Butler Technologies, ACI Materials, Principled Design – Multi-Tech Commuter Jacket
 
Being able to generate heat within a jacket would be one way to help warm up. With an eye on doing just that, Lubrizol asked Despina Papadopoulos of Principled Design in New York to create and develop the Multi-Tech Commuter (MTC) Jacket. Working with Butler Technologies and ACI Materials, Lubrizol and Papadopolous produced a fashionable denim jacket that uses flexible electronics to provide warmth on demand.
 
• Kilchoman Distillery – NFC Hang Tags for Whisky
Scottish whiskey producer Kilchoman teamed up with Thinfilm to promote two of its flagship whiskeys using special NFC hang tags that consumers could tap with their smartphones to get product and distillery information directly from the source. The company reported that its post-campaign analysis revealed that NFC generated a 6.5% engagement rate among consumers, outperforming more traditional digital marketing channels such as display, email, search, and social. Kilchoman will next incorporate NFC directly into its labels.

• YUNI Beauty – NFC-Enabled Packaging for Shower Sheets and Chillax
Another company that is using NFC-enabled packaging, YUNI Beauty is using Thinfilm’s NFC technology printed by Jones Packaging for its Shower Sheets and Chillax products. With a tap of a consumer’s smartphone, these tags will launch a unique experience that gives the user content such as how-to videos and application tips.