In this issue of OPE journal, we focus on wearables.We don’t need to tell our readers that this is a ubiquitous topic with extraordinary growth potential. Wearables are already part of our everyday lives in the form of smartwatches, fitness trackers and medical patches. Many other applications are close to market and many are on their way to mass production. In fact, some of the contributors to this issue believe that the next few years will see applications that no one is even thinking about today.
The highly dynamic product and market development of wearables worldwide is an opportunity for us to take a closer look. That’s why we asked experts from leading international technology companies to give us their views on wearables and the market, analyse the relevant trends and present the most important innovations. We cover the entire value chain, from components, substrates and conductive inks to manufacturing processes. We also look at the role of printed electronics, the diverse applications of wearables, the resulting importance of data management and sustainability. Not forgetting innovative test methods, which are becoming increasingly important as the functionality and reliability of wearables, especially in the medical field, can save lives.
The articles in this issue also show that the trend is towards more specific and sophisticated applications. Ramin Heydarpour, CEO of Ynvisible, for example, believes that “the future will bring a mix of different types of wearables that are data-driven and have a strong focus on customisation, serving our needs better than ever before”.
We are excited - and promise that the OPE journal editorial team will continue to closely monitor and report on developments in wearables, as well as the wider field of printed electronics. For now we would like to take this opportunity to say:
