Research Focus
The combined expertise of wireless sensor technology and flexible electronics under one roof puts Holst Centre in a unique position. Holst Centre Technology Programs cover a wide range of generally applicable fields of expertise in both domains. More and more, our application oriented Technology Integration Programs are able to build upon the enabling technologies from both program lines.
Wireless autonomous sensor technologies
Our future life is evolving towards a world where microsystems add intelligence to almost every object around us. Sensing and actuating functionalities will be ‘hidden’ in the environment. They will be aware of their surroundings and able to interact wirelessly with people and with each other. These small electronic microsystems will work autonomously, running on the minimum of power and scavenging energy from the environment. Commonly used terms to describe this evolution are the internet of things, smart dust, ubiquitous computing etc.
Flexible Electronics
Printing electronics on thin substrates such as foil will create a revolution in the electronics industry. This will enable ultra-light and ultra-thin, flexible, easy-to-wear electronic products, lighting and signage devices, reusable and disposable sensor devices, and foldable solar panels and displays. Roll-to-roll production processes, comparable to what’s now being used in the paper printing industry, will enable these devices to be manufactured in large sizes, high quantities and at low cost.
See also: What could flexible electronics ever do for us? An article written by our text writers at Pyramidion.
Technology Integration
Think about food packages with integrated intelligence to allow quality monitoring and minimal food waste along the chain of production and consumption. Or a smart bandage assuring optimal wound healing and indicating when the bandage can or should be removed. Such seamless integration of intelligence in almost any product can be realized by combining ultra-low-power electronics with foil-based processes, a unique asset of Holst Centre.