Focus on sustainability Lopec 2025: Printed electronics in the mobility sector

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Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

Printed electronics are regarded as one of the key technologies for the mobility sector. No wonder, as they are not only lightweight, but can also be used flexibly and are cost-effective. At this year's Lopec trafe fair in Munich, Germany from February 25 to 27, 2025, exhibitors will show how printed electronics contribute to sustainable mobility.

If you only consider design aspects, then printed electronics are unbeatable: The thin and flexible components can be integrated inconspicuously into objects of any shape. They are therefore valuable for many areas of application. For one area, printed electronics is now increasingly taking center stage: automotive. Whether you are looking to improve sustainability in traffic or create a customized vehicle design with OLED technology and switchable films, printed electronics are becoming increasingly important. Lopec, which will take place in Munich from February 25 to 27, 2025, will also make this clear.

New solution options—less weight

"The lightweight electronic components support sustainable vehicle concepts, ensure greater safety and lower energy consumption," explains Dr. Klaus Hecker, Managing Director of Lopec co-organizer OE-A, short for Organic and Printed Electronics Association, an international working group within the VDMA. Printed electronic elements can be used to implement a wide range of additional functions, emphasizes Hecker: "Printed electronics are thin and flexible, so they can be seamlessly integrated into a wide variety of products. Their use can significantly reduce vehicle weight". Lower vehicle weight plays a particularly important role in electromobility. No wonder that the focus of the trade fair is on e-mobility.

Alternative drive technology

Exhibitor Flexoo will be presenting its ultra-thin MiniMoS sensor unit at the trade fair, which precisely measures the pressure and temperature of batteries and other energy storage devices. With the help of real-time monitoring, the service life of an electric vehicle's battery can be extended by up to 40 percent. The risk of fire is also reduced because critical conditions are detected in good time. MiniMoS transmits the data to existing battery management systems via Bluetooth.

Another application example can be found in the field of hydrogen. Printed electronics can also contribute to the safety of hydrogen mobility, as Arkema Piezotech will be demonstrating. The French company specializes in piezoelectric plastics. Sensor arrays printed from these, mounted on high-pressure hydrogen tanks, register the acoustic waves caused by impacts or other mechanical influences and convert them into electrical signals. The severity and location of the damage can thus be determined, as can the premature ageing of a tank.

Individual interior design

Sustainability and safety are important issues, but printed electronics really come into their own in vehicle design with OLED technology and switchable films. As Dr Hecker points out, they enable greater individualization: "The easily integrated electronic components offer designers unimagined possibilities and pave the way for individualization in vehicle construction." Audi, for example, already offers individually configurable OLED rear lights consisting of individually controllable segments. In the future, the technology will increasingly be used to communicate with other road users, as the car manufacturer will demonstrate at the congress accompanying the trade fair.

Antolin will be presenting intelligent surface technologies in the Mobility application session at the congress. E Ink will also be presenting color-changing films integrated into the vehicle interior. These provide an individual interior design.

These are just a few examples that make it clear that a visit to the trade fair will definitely be worthwhile. (se)

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