-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Hole Truth: Via Integrity in an HDI World
From the drilled hole to registration across multiple sequential lamination cycles, to the quality of your copper plating, via reliability in an HDI world is becoming an ever-greater challenge. This month we look at “The Hole Truth,” from creating the “perfect” via to how you can assure via quality and reliability, the first time, every time.
In Pursuit of Perfection: Defect Reduction
For bare PCB board fabrication, defect reduction is a critical aspect of a company's bottom line profitability. In this issue, we examine how imaging, etching, and plating processes can provide information and insight into reducing defects and increasing yields.
Voices of the Industry
We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Start-up Identifies Market Potential for Flexible Printed Electronics
August 13, 2015 | CORDISEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
EU funding has enabled Portuguese printed electronics start-up Ynvisible to fully assess the potential of applying flexible printed electronics to consumer objects. The six-month feasibility study completed at the beginning of August 2015 involved carrying out tests on the new platform – called PRINTOO – which enabled the company to better understand the needs of various end users.
‘The study enabled us to take the time and effort to better understand our clients, identify who they are and how best to address their needs,’ explains Manuel Câmara, new products manager at Ynvisible.
One key potential end user segment has been identified as education and learning. Schools have expressed interest in printed electronics as a tool to develop creativity and do-it-yourself technical skills in students at different levels.
‘Thanks to our market research, we intend to create products that fit the needs of the educational sector,’ says Câmara. ‘Schools and universities around the world yearn for new tools that allow their students to learn while creating and exploring new ideas.’
Another potential untapped market segment is health. Ynvisible recently partnered with another innovative tech company, BITalino, to develop a smart wearable device that enables users to track various measurements such as body temperature and heart rate. BITalino is revolutionising DIY health tracking by making physiological sensors capable of measuring the body’s bio-signals accessible to all.
‘We’re now considering whether PRINTOO should be spun off its original company,’ adds Câmara. ‘We know much more about our business, our market and our clients.’
Following completion of the feasibility study, Ynvisible’s next priority is to bring its range of flexible printed electronics to market. Each printable PRINTOO component contains at its core a high performance, low power microcontroller – basically a tiny computer fitted onto a single integrated circuit board – below which is a list of various modules that customers may choose from to suit their needs.
Businesses can apply these very thin electronic ‘labels’ to items – anything from balloons and clothing to 3D printed objects, making them intelligent and interactive.
This is the essence of the Internet of Things (IoT), where objects, animals and people are provided with unique identifiers and are able to transfer data over a network without requiring computer interaction. By adding internet capabilities to their products, business can enable end users to control their devices remotely via apps on their Smartphone. The unique selling point of PRINTOO is that the modular printable electronics being developed are flexible and very affordable, opening up a whole new range of potential users.
‘Since all board designs are open-source, you can change them up and customise them to your needs, just like other modular building kits with the addition of having printable, completely flexible components at your disposal,’ says Câmara. ‘We intend to push the boundaries of innovation by bringing to market new flexible printed technologies that have not previously been available.’
For further information please visit: http://www.printoo.pt/
Suggested Items
Silicon Mountain Implements Vorne XL Production Monitoring System to Boost Efficiency and Visibility
06/19/2025 | Silicon MountainSilicon Mountain Contract Services, a leading provider of custom electronics manufacturing solutions, announced the recent implementation of the Vorne XL real-time production monitoring system.
Scienscope Strengthens South-Central U.S. Presence with FHP Reps Appointment
06/19/2025 | Scienscope InternationalScienscope International is pleased to announce the appointment of FHP Reps as its new manufacturers’ representative. FHP Reps will cover Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, providing regional sales and support for Scienscope’s full line of innovative inspection solutions.
All Flex Solutions Upgrades Lamination Layup
06/19/2025 | All Flex SolutionsAll Flex Solutions has invested in Ulrich Rotte lamination layup stations in their rigid flex layup area. The Ulrich Rotte stations automate the layup process by handling the lamination plates, which are heavy, and sequencing the layup process for the operators.
ULVAC Continues Participation in 'Lab-in-Fab' Project to Advance Piezoelectric MEMS Technology, Now Entering a New Phase
06/19/2025 | JCN NewswireULVAC, Inc. announced that the collaborative development project "Lab-in-Fab," aimed at advancing piezoelectric Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (piezoMEMS) technology and in which ULVAC has participated since 2020, is entering a new phase. ULVAC will continue its participation in this initiative, contributing to the commercialization of piezoMEMS by providing deposition and etching technologies as an equipment manufacturer.
STI Electronics Celebrates Chuck Callahan’s 20-Year Work Anniversary
06/19/2025 | STI Electronics, Inc.STI Electronics, Inc., a leading provider of electronic manufacturing services and training resources, proudly celebrated a significant milestone today: the 20-year work anniversary of valued employee Chuck Callahan.