LOPEC 2024 Showcases the Highlights of Flexible and Printed Electronics
Printed electronics is both a key and a cross-sectional technology, as demonstrated again by this year's LOPEC (March 5-7 in Munich) with numerous applications and presentations. LOPEC brings together about 180 exhibitors – an increase of seven percent compared to the previous event. Approximately 2,800 visitors are expected.
It makes life easier for seriously ill patients, is indispensable for the mobility transition and allows people to immerse themselves even deeper in the metaverse: Printed electronics is a pivotal and cross-sectional technology, as demonstrated by numerous applications and presentations at this year's LOPEC (March 5-7, 2024). The health sector in particular benefits from the possibilities offered by ultra-thin, lightweight and flexible electronic compo-nents. LOPEC exhibitor Covestro, for instance, will present wearable patches that wirelessly monitor a wide range of vital signs.
The company has now even developed a sensor that registers moisture on an artificial stoma, making everyday life easier for those affected. Beneli from Sweden will be showing stretch-able smart patches with embedded electro-nics that adhere securely over a long period of time, and even during movement, and mea-sure the patient’s heart rate and temperature, for example.
The sensor socks from Metafas in the Netherlands, in turn, support the care making everyday life easier for those affected. Beneli from Sweden will be showing stretch-able smart patches with embedded electro-nics that adhere securely over a long period of time, and even during movement, and mea-sure the patient’s heart rate and temperature, for example. The sensor socks from Metafas in the Netherlands, in turn, support the care of people with health impairments who have difficulty expressing their needs. They detect stress by measuring skin conductance.
LOPEC Conference: Industry meets Science
The new Open Plenary Session, a plenary lecture given by Dr. Alain Schumacher, CTO at sensor manufacturer IEE, is as well free for all interested visitors (March 6, 8 a.m., LOPEC Forum at the ICM Foyer). Entitled "Printed Electronics – Products, Trends and Facts for a Sustainable Future", it highlights the range of sustainable applications for printed electronics. The other plenary sessions which are part of the LOPEC Conference requiring an extra ticket, will also focus on the current challenges of our time. Karine Benbelaid, Glo-bal Segment Head Medical at Covestro, will discuss the circularity of medical technology components (March 5, 9 a.m.).
Dr. Petra Severit, CTO at the specialty chemical company Altana, will describe how global megatrends – from digitalization and the mobility transition to the transformation of the economy – can be successfully shaped using printed electronics (March 6, 9 a.m.)
Another highlight of the LOPEC Confe-rence will be the plenary lecture by Dr. Hiroki Maeda (March 7, 9 a.m.). As a representative of Dai Nippon Printing (DNP), one of the world’s largest printing companies based in Shinjuku, Japan, he will discuss printed electronics for next-generation telecommu-nications. Alongside other speakers from the industry, scientists from all over the world will present their latest findings.
Printed Sensors for E-mobility and the Metaverse
LOPEC highlights in the mobility sector include sensor systems for electric cars. Printed sensors monitor the temperature and pressure conditions in battery stacks, allowing cell-friendly and faster charging cycles to be deve-loped. In battery balancing, sensors record the voltage level of the various cells to increase the performance and service life of the batteries.
Products and information on printed electronics in e-mobility are available at LOPEC from sensor specialists such as IEE and InnovationLab as well as Celanese, Heraeus and other material manufacturers. Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the metaverse without a bulky remote control can also visit the Heraeus stand. Together with the Japanese start-up AI Silk, the company has developed a haptic glove with finger-bending sensors and control buttons that makes virtual touch perceptible and also serves as a controller.
Focus on Sustainability and Circularity As more and more products contain electronic components, issues about sustainability, recycling and circular economy inevitably arise. Industry representatives and scientists from the U.S., Finland, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany will address these aspects at the LOPEC Round Table on "Sustainability, circularity and printed electronics" at the LOPEC Forum (March 6, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the ICM Foyer).
Many young companies are also working on solutions for a sustainable future. They will present their business ideas in ten-minute pitches at the LOPEC Start-up Competition. The best business ideas will be honored in two categories at the award show evening during the LOPEC Get-together on March 6.
LOPEC Conference: Industry meets Science
The new Open Plenary Session, a plenary lecture given by Dr. Alain Schumacher, CTO at sensor manufacturer IEE, is as well free for all interested visitors (March 6, 8 a.m., LOPEC Forum at the ICM Foyer). Entitled "Printed Electronics – Products, Trends and Facts for a Sustainable Future", it highlights the range of sustainable applications for printed electronics. The other plenary sessions which are part of the LOPEC Conference requiring an extra ticket, will also focus on the current challenges of our time. Karine Benbelaid, Global Segment Head Medical at Covestro, will discuss the circularity of medical technology components (March 5, 9 a.m.). Dr. Petra Severit, CTO at the specialty chemical company Altana, will describe how global megatrends – from digitalization and the mobility transition to the transformation of the economy – can be successfully shaped using printed electronics (March 6, 9 a.m., see also the interview on page 28). Another highlight of the LOPEC Conference will be the plenary lecture by Dr. Hiroki Maeda (March 7, 9 a.m.). As a representative of Dai Nippon Printing (DNP), one of the world’s largest printing companies based in Shinjuku, Japan, he will discuss printed electronics for next-generation telecommunications. Alongside other speakers from the industry, scientists from all over the world will present their latest findings.
At LOPEC, the entire spectrum of printed electronics will be presented, featuring numerous new developments from companies worldwide and demonstrating the industry's full potential Pictures: LOPEC