Research Focus
The combined expertise of wireless sensor technology and flexible electronics under one roof puts Holst Centre in a unique position. The Holst Centre research programs cover a wide range of generally applicable technologies in both domains.
Wireless Autonomous Transducer Solutions
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 harvesting energy from the environment. Commonly used terms to describe this evolution are the internet of things, smart dust, ubiquitous computing etc.
See also: Wireless Sensors Relay Medical Insight to Patients and Caregivers (external link - pdf). A special report by IEEE Signal Processing Magazine on the opportunities and challenges for wireless sensor technologgy in healthcare.
Flexible Electronics
Printing electronics on thin substrates such as plastic or metal 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? (external link) An article written by our text writers at Pyramidion.
Flexible Wireless Systems
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.