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What are Smart Surface Solutions?

The ongoing expansion of megatrends such as IoT and digitalisation is pushing the demand for printed sensors and antennas that are applicable to differently shaped surface structures. As an industry-leading supplier of printed electronics materials and services, Henkel are leveraging these megatrends to create smart surface solutions that are not only smarter, but also make a positive impact. They provide full solutions based on conductive inks and coatings ranging from conductive silver inks suitable for screen printing and forming, valve jet printing and pad printing.

These developments have carried printed electronics into a variety of new application fields and opened new market opportunities for smart living, mobility and more.

Smart Personal Hygiene Products

Printed electronics are driving fundamental innovations across the personal hygiene sector. With an increasing geriatric population coupled with rising healthcare costs, the development of novel monitoring tools which increase patient comfort and reduce expenses is crucial.

Henkel’s conductive inks allow for the manufacturing of responsive, disposable healthcare products. For example, their high-speed printable carbon ink is a key element in creating cost-effective moisture sensors that are integrated into disposable diapers and smart bed pads. These reliable moisture sensors detect fluid levels and leakage which can be remotely monitored in real-time on a smart device. The lightweight printed sensor offers both comfort and durability and is essential for making high-quality smart personal hygiene solutions.

Smart Healthcare Products

Similarly, Henkel’s advanced inks are being utilised in the manufacturing of modern medical devices. They have been specifically formulated to be compatible with the human body and various interactive medical gels and chemicals. Biosensors such as glucose test strips, EKG/ECG electrodes, TENS pads for muscle stimulation and various other medical device applications now depend on Henkel inks to provide accuracy, reliability, and compatibility. These advancements in medical devices capabilities have all been made possible thanks to new developments in printed electronics technology.

Henkel have also been involved in the creation of smart shoe insoles using their conductive inks, protective coatings, skin grade adhesives and electrode materials. These insoles serve to measure the interaction between the runner’s feet and the ground, which can be tracked and reviewed in real time via an app. By measuring the pressure distribution, the user can then be advised on how to improve their technique and gain efficiency.

Smart Connectivity IoT Antennas

Printed electronic technology plays a key role in the continued development of printed antennas, including NFC and RFID solutions. Highly conductive inks are being used in the development of in-mold equipment that can be formed into 3D shapes. Henkel is a leading printed electronic material supplier for in-mold electronic solutions that are applicable for the continued development of 5G networks and other telecommunication technology.

Smart Automotive Interiors

There is a growing demand for printed electronics in the automotive industry, with several areas already benefiting from conductive inks and coatings. A driving force for this is the move to lighter products and components in order to reduce overall vehicle weight.

Henkel is constantly innovating the ways in which printed electronics can be utilised in this field. Specifically, their printed electronic technologies are being used for applications involving heating, capacitive/resistive sensing, and inductive charging within the vehicle’s interior. Unlike traditional wire heating, printed heaters are self-regulating and flexible which makes them easy to install car seats and connect to the vehicle through IoT integration. Printed heater solutions use PTC inks which prevent overheating and other damage due to high temperatures, making them a popular choice in the automotive, electronics and building industries.

Other Smart Surface Solutions

Modern display technologies rely on different printed solutions for functionality and form under diverse conditions. Henkel has developed materials specifically for these applications including protective topcoats, UV dielectrics and fine silver inks. These solutions provide an additive, adaptable, and cost-effective alternative for a variety of display devices. This includes industrial and automotive touch screens, as well as printed LED lighting, membrane touch switches and keyless entry devices.

To learn more about Henkel’s Printed Electronics products and services, download their dedicated brochure.

To follow up on this particular range, Henkel and Ellsworth have partnered together to offer an exclusive webinar focused on Printed Electronics applications. If you would like to participate in this webinar, then please sign up here.

 

Printed electronics are flexible and thin electronic components which are made during the process of printing specialised and functional ink formulations onto a variety of substrates. One of the most efficient production methods, printed electronics allow for high-volume, high-throughput and cost-effective manufacturing.

In recent years, the printed electronics market has seen a surge in popularity as manufacturers opt to create new and innovative solutions for everyday applications. Paired with the growing penetration of emerging technologies such as 5G and digital healthcare, this new era of technology is driving users to adapt their production process accordingly. In particular, the demand for wearable and thinner electronic devices has heightened, and printed electronics are now being used to form items such as touchscreens, mobile phone antennas and electronic skin patches.

Ellsworth Adhesives is delighted to be working in collaboration with our vendor Henkel, an industry-leading supplier of printed electronic materials and services, to introduce our customer base to these high-quality materials.

Benefits of Printed Electronics:

Printed electronics bring with them a whole host of advantages, with countless everyday devices now relying on these technologies for function, form, and flexibility.

Traditional electronic components are commonly thick and rigid; however, manufacturers are increasingly opting for thinner substrates which are more complex in functionality. Printed electronics are a perfect choice for these applications as they allow the production of flexible and lightweight electronic components which are much more adaptable. The specially formulated inks can address the complex demands of fine line printing whilst still maintaining a high level of functionality and robust conductivity. By implementing these high-quality inks, manufacturers can produce products which are smaller, lighter, and more technologically advanced.

One highly appealing factor of printed electronics is the ability to produce them in bulk at high-speed, therefore reducing production costs and time. Despite this fast turnaround, the functional inks still ensure a highly polished and aesthetically pleasing final product during mass production. They are extremely easy to integrate into existing manufacturing processes as the require fewer input materials and can be used on a wide variety of substrates.

Additionally, there are a diverse range of functional inks and coatings available to suit different application requirements. The LOCTITE® inks portfolio consists of a variety of different conductive, resistive, dielectric, electrode, positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and shielding inks. With something to suit all printed electronic requirements, Henkel have been creating innovative technologies for well over three decades. Learn more about Henkel’s extensive ink range in their dedicated brochure.

Printed Electronics Applications:

Printed electronic materials are being used to create smart solutions across multiple markets including consumer, automotive and medical. They are used for the manufacturing of membrane switches, flexible circuits, heating sensors, EMI shielding and many more applications.

The functional inks used in printed electronic applications transform a substrate into a conductive surface, opening them up to a wide variety of new application fields. This includes traditional industries which had no prior connection to electronics such as textiles and furniture.

A key example of printed electronics applications is the creation of smart surface technologies. Display technologies used in our everyday life rely on many different printed solutions for functionality and form. Henkel has developed materials specifically for these applications which ensure the devices function correctly under diverse conditions. Their inks, in combination with protective top layers, are delivering outstanding results for industrial touch screens, membrane touch switches, automotive touch screens, keyless entry devices and printed LED lighting.

View the Henkel Printed Electronics Brochure.