INSTRUMENTATION & ELECTRONICS
for applications such as the thermal management of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, the report reveals. Hybrid printed temperature sensors can detect cell hot spots, while pressure sensing layers monitor battery swelling indicative of cell failure and heater layers can provide the means to address these measurements, offering a complete active thermal management solution. In the report, Howley estimates that deployment, charging and discharging optimisations to increase battery capacity and prolong lifetime could be worth up to $3,000 in savings per vehicle.
Opportunities for large-area sensing using printed and flexible sensors. Image via IDTechX
realising cost savings. Future sensing solutions will see sensors embedded within infrastructure to enable passive monitoring. Key smart infrastructure applications include high sensitivity pressure sensors to detect carbon fibre hydrogen storage tank failure during operation, and non-linear displacement sensors to predict when aging buildings and bridges require decommissioning.”
LARGE AREA SENSING AND MULTIFUNCTIONALITY According to IDTechX’s report, mass digitisation will see data captured across more surfaces, with large-area sensors offering a logical solution. This is due to the mapping surface interactions of these types of sensors
offering greater spatial information and enhanced data granularity than using single-point sensors alone. “To obtain sufficiently large-area sensors, printing becomes somewhat necessary,” the report states, “offering production in vastly expanded dimensions.” The ability to measure more than
one metric at a time is required for many sensing applications. Printing sensors as sheets allows different sensing layers to be stacked and combined with minimal impact on form factor or weight, offering a relatively straightforward way of integrating multifunctional sensing into existing products. The automotive sector, in particular,
is currently showing interest in multifunctional printed sensor growth
A NEW THREAT? However, this opens the door to another debate concerning the disruptive threat posed by hybrid printed sensor technologies to existing sensor industries, as Howley explains. “Hybrid printed sensors pose
the biggest threat where granular and multifunctional performance is as important as the cost of the component,” he says. “Key physical metrics such as touch, pressure, temperature and photodetection are easily combined in slim or flexile form factors using printing methods. Printing enables seamless integration of diverse sensing capabilities with minimal additional spatial requirements. The disruptive potential of hybrid printed sensors is strengthened when delivered alongside complementary printed electronic technologies to offer all-in- one active monitoring solutions. Printed heaters, actuators and haptic elements may be combined with printed sensing layers to afford innovative stimuli- response operation modes.” In its report, IDTechX predicts that
automotive and consumer electronics industries will be most impacted by printed technology, driving the printed sensor market to $960 million by 2034. “Printed sensors have the greatest
Printed sensor annual revenue. Image via IDTechX
potential to disrupt the automotive industry, with large area sensors poised to capitalise on electrification and autonomy trends redefining mobility,” Howley continues. “Printed sensors have the potential to empower the car of the future, from optimised electric battery deployment, augmented and enhanced proximity sensing, to fully interactive and personalised passenger experiences.”
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