Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: World's first flexible multi-functional timer to be distributed at Printed Electronics Europe

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Abstract:
A consortium of partners will launch the world's first flexible timer based on printed electronics at the IDTechEx Printed Electronics Europe event in Berlin, April 1-2. The device consists of an electronic logic circuit implemented with thin film metal oxide transistors, powered by a printed battery, and integrated onto a paper substrate. It has four timing sequences and is designed for multi-functional use across four different applications.

World's first flexible multi-functional timer to be distributed at Printed Electronics Europe

Cambridge, UK | Posted on March 24th, 2014

Led by IDTechEx, partners included consumer goods company Procter & Gamble, printed logic company PragmatIC, printed battery supplier Blue Spark Technologies, conductive ink and photonic curing equipment supplier NovaCentrix and Cal Poly, who designed and printed on the paper substrate.

Raghu Das, CEO, of technology scouting and events firm IDTechEx, states "We set out to create an integrated, fully functional device that has strong value and need. Involving end user P&G provided valuable insight into consumer requirements, which resulted in specifying and delivering the world's first flexible multi-use timer based on commercially available printed electronics. A timer is one of the basic building blocks that will enable many different products in a modular approach. To reflect that, timers were created for different applications to demonstrate the wide applicability of the device."

Four different application sets were created: a workout timer, a cooking timer, a meeting timer and a children activity timer. Each has four individually controlled timing options, activated by bending or "dog-earing" one of the corners of the paper substrate.

The initial production demonstrates how new applications of electronics in novel form factors can be enabled by printed electronics. Follow-on manufacturing is already planned for later this year, including enhancements to the functionality and even greater integration of the printed electronics.

Conference attendees to Printed Electronics Europe on 1-2 April in Berlin (www.IDTechEx.com/PEeurope) will have the chance to receive the timer on a first-come, first-serve basis, after visiting the companies involved in the project in the tradeshow.

• Blue Spark will be present throughout the tradeshow at booth D04.
• IDTechEx will be speaking at the event opening and will be present throughout the tradeshow at booth E08.
• NovaCentrix will be speaking in the conference at 12:05 on Wednesday April 2 and will be present throughout the tradeshow at booth A04.
• PragmatIC will be speaking in the conference at 09:50 on Wednesday April 2.

The conference and tradeshow brings together end users with suppliers - where "pull" and "push" balance - to provide attendees with that critical insight into the driving needs for the technology, in addition to appraisal of all the key enabling materials, components and manufacturing processes. Leading end users exploring printed electronics, such as Hasbro, Diageo, Electrolux, Boeing, De La Rue, Abbott Diagnostics, Decathlon and Stora Enso, will present their needs and programs.

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About IDTechEx
IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research and Events services, helping you profit from emerging technologies. IDTechEx Events provide an analytical, commercial outlook, taking into account market requirements, competitive technologies and development roadmaps. Attendees are presented with the full, diverse range of technologies but the main thrust is always on end user needs and commercialization strategies. For more information see www.IDTechEx.com.

About PragmatIC Printing Ltd

PragmatIC Printing enables printed electronic logic circuits that introduce intelligence and interactivity into a wide range of products and applications, in form factors that are not possible using silicon chips. PragmatIC's intellectual property covers unique device architectures, process techniques, and circuit designs that enable flexible imprinted logic circuits with compact footprint, high performance and low cost.
PragmatIC Printing operates a pilot line at the UK's National Centre for Printable Electronics, part of the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI). The pilot line supports customer prototyping activities as well as commercial production for deployment of new product concepts. PragmatIC also licenses its technology for higher volume production.
For more information visit www.pragmaticprinting.com

About Blue Spark Technologies

Blue Spark Technologies, Inc. is the leader in developing flexible, printed, "green," proprietary power source solutions for battery-powered printed electronic systems. The company was founded as Thin Battery Technologies in 2002 with patented technology and technical leadership from Energizer (Eveready Battery Company). Blue Spark customers include manufacturers, product designers, and integrators across multiple industries including: interactive packaging, RFID, pharmaceutical, powered smart cards, and novelty items. Users of products powered by Blue Spark batteries enjoy increased efficiency, greater convenience and portability, improved safety, lower manufacturing and assembly costs, higher profit margins, and greater environmental responsibility. For more information, visit www.bluesparktechnologies.com or call +1 440 249 5400.
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bluesparktech

About NovaCentrix

NovaCentrix, based in Austin, Texas, is a leader in printed electronics manufacturing technologies. The state-of-the-art PulseForge® photonic curing tools dry, sinter, and anneal functional inks in milliseconds on low-temperature, flexible substrates such as paper and plastic. The tools process a wide array of metal-based conductive inks, as well as non-metallic and semiconductor inks, and are available with the integrated material and tool simulation package SimPulse™ NovaCentrix also offers high-performance, economical Metalon® conductive inks, including the innovative and award-winning ICI copper-oxide reduction inks which work optimally with PulseForge tools. NovaCentrix also offers printing services with our in-house inkjet, screen ,and flexographic presses. To learn more, please visit www.novacentrix.com.

About Cal Poly

California Polytechnic State University's Printed Electronics and Functional Imaging programs were established in the Graphic Communication Department at Cal Poly. Founded in 1946, the department is one of the largest and best-known programs of its kind in the United States. The department offers undergraduate education in graphic communication, emphasizing technology and design applications and how they intersect in printed and non-printed media. Cal Poly's programs in Printed Electronics and Functional Imaging focus on conductive and reactive ink applications for conventional and novel printing of flexible devices. The programs are strongly supported by industry with grants, endowments, equipment, supplies and software for the department's 33,000 square feet of modern laboratories. Visit us at PrintedElectronics.calpoly.edu and grc.calpoly.edu.