Printed or flexible electronics has now become a part of our daily life. We can notice varied applications of printed electronic materials making electronics ubiquitous for human use. From wireless packaging sensors to building detection sensors enabling preventative maintenance and skin patches to monitor heart rate, step count, etc., printed electronic materials being feasible and reliable make our life easy.
Moreover, researchers also predict that printed electronics are next-generation electronics that are expected to be non-rigid, bendable, component-free, and flexible with the ability for simple integration into different objects.
In this article, we will discuss upcoming trends and advancements for printed electronic materials in 2023. But prior to that let’s understand the concept of printed electronics and its applications.
What are printed electronics?
Printed electronics refers to the technology of creating electronic devices using printing techniques, such as inkjet or screen printing, rather than traditional fabrication methods, such as photolithography. This approach allows for the creation of low-cost, flexible, and large-area electronic devices, such as sensors, displays, and solar cells. Printed electronics has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries, from healthcare and consumer electronics to energy and transportation.
According to the BIS Research report, the global printed electronic materials market is projected to reach $17.55 billion by 2031 from $3.45 billion in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 18.82% during the forecast period 2022-2031.
Brands like LG and Samsung use printed organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays in their television, smartphones, and smartwatches. In the same queue, Flex, a company that specializes in printed electronics is providing components for a variety of industries, including automotive and consumer electronics.
Printed electronics also serve as the core of the healthcare sector. For instance, Koninklijke Philips N.V. company uses printed electronic technology in its healthcare products like Electrocardiograms (ECG) and Flexible sensors. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has also developed a printed sensor system for monitoring vital signs in patients with chronic diseases.
Thus, printed electronic materials are creating a significant impact on the market, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional electronic materials.
What does 2023 hold for printed electronics?
With multiple applications and commercial adoption of printed electronic materials along with significant funds flowing into the sector, many companies are increasingly transitioning to advance their technology to fulfill customer needs.
Based on current trends and research, some advancements that could be expected in the field of printed electronic materials in 2023 include:
Higher performance: Advances in materials science and device fabrication techniques are expected to lead to improvements in the performance of printed electronic devices. This could include devices with higher efficiency, longer lifetimes, and greater sensitivity.
Increased integration: Printed electronic devices are expected to become more integrated with multiple functionalities incorporated into a single device. This could include devices that combine sensing, energy harvesting, and data processing capabilities.
Wider commercial adoption: More companies are expected to start using printed electronic materials in commercial products and applications including a wider range of printed electronic displays, sensors, and photovoltaics.
Greater scalability: Research and development in the field of printed electronics is expected to continue to focus on scaling up the size and complexity of printed electronic devices. This will lead to the creation of large-area, high-performance printed electronic devices, such as displays and solar panels.
Greater flexibility: Wearable sensors are already being used among health centers and cardiovascular patients to monitor heart rate and other physical activities. As technology progresses, it is expected that printed electronic materials will be used to create even more flexible and conformable devices, such as sensors and displays to be worn directly on the skin.
Cost reduction: With the increase in production, the cost of printed electronic materials and devices is expected to decrease, making it more affordable for a wider range of applications.
Thus, 2023 can expect to witness many trial projects for the utilization of flexible hybrid electronics enabling asset tracking and predictive maintenance.
Conclusion
Printed electronic materials have the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, healthcare, energy, and transportation. These materials offer a number of advantages over traditional electronic materials, such as cost-effectiveness, flexibility, scalability, and speed of production.
Advancements in the field of printed electronic materials are expected to continue in upcoming years, with a focus on higher performance, wider commercial adoption, and cost reduction.
