Manufacturing and Sustainability Considerations for Next Generation Wearables

This presentation highlights critical design, manufacturability, sustainability and reliability aspects related to development of novel stretchable devices for the wearables market based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and nanocellulose substrate platforms. We will present examples of several fully integrated functional devices such as a stretchable wireless electrocardiography (ECG) smart patch and a disposable enzymatic amperometric biosensor for real-time sweat monitoring. Developments and upscaling aspects on Roll-to-Roll manufacturing will cover double-sided printing and via-forming, component assembly, lamination and encapsulation, structuring of PDMS films and sustainable substrate materials for single use devices.