Antti Kemppainen | VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Are standard PPG sensors the limit for wearables, or can we integrate advanced spectral imaging directly onto flexible electronics for next-generation diagnostics?
07:13 - 08:50
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Summary of the clip:
Are standard PPG sensors the limit for wearables, or can we integrate advanced spectral imaging directly onto flexible electronics for next-generation diagnostics?
The role of photonics in wearables and diagnostic platforms is rapidly expanding beyond established applications like PPG heart rate sensors. The next frontier involves integrating more sophisticated optical sensing capabilities directly onto printed and flexible electronic substrates. This trend is driven by the demand for richer physiological data from non-invasive devices.
VTT is actively developing technologies to enable this shift, moving towards multispectral and even full spectral imaging on flexible platforms. A key area of research is the packaging of advanced photonics components, including MEMS-based Fabry-PΓ©rot spectral filters. Integrating these tunable filters allows a compact sensor to capture detailed spectral information from human tissue, unlocking new biomarkers and diagnostic possibilities.
While the technology to build these advanced sensors is progressing, a significant challenge remains in interpreting the complex data they generate and correlating it with specific health parameters. Another powerful application area is the convergence of printed electronics, microfluidics, and biosensors, where optical readout mechanisms are often the preferred method for detecting and quantifying biological analytes in a lab-on-a-chip format.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The evolution of optical sensing in wearables from simple PPG to multispectral imaging.
* The role of integrated photonics packaging and MEMS-based spectral filters.
* The convergence of printed electronics, microfluidics, and optical readouts for biosensing.
π **Clip Abstract** Photonics integration in flexible electronics is advancing beyond simple PPG sensors towards sophisticated multispectral and spectral imaging for next-generation wearables. This involves packaging advanced components like MEMS-based spectral filters to unlock new diagnostic capabilities from human tissue.
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#SpectralImaging, #FlexibleElectronics, #MEMSSpectralFilters, #OpticalBiosensors, #WearableElectronics, #NonInvasiveDiagnostics
This is a highlight of the presentation:
Printed hybrid electronics accelerated concepting and verification
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09:09 - 11:09
Can you build a four-layer, fully stretchable PCB using only printing and lamination, and why would this be a game-changer for wearable electronics design?
Can you build a four-layer, fully stretchable PCB using only printing and lamination, and why would this be a game-changer for wearable electronics design?
To meet the demand for higher performance in printed electronics, there is a critical need to move from simple single-layer or bridged designs to true multilayer architectures, especially for stretchable applications. VTT is tackling this challenge by developing a four-layer stretchable printed circuit board (PCB) on an elastomer substrate. This approach aims to deliver the performance of traditional rigid electronics in a fully flexible and stretchable form factor.
The manufacturing process for this multilayer structure combines several key techniques. It starts with screen printing conductive layers, followed by the creation of vertical interconnects (vias) using either mechanical punching or precision lasering. The individual layers are then carefully aligned and laminated together to form a monolithic, yet stretchable, four-layer circuit.
The motivation for developing a four-layer system is multifaceted and crucial for advancing wearable technology. It enables significantly improved signal integrity, allows for the use of smaller component packages through denser routing, and supports high-frequency RF applications. Critically, it provides electronics designers with a familiar four-layer design paradigm (Signal, Ground, Power, Signal), making the transition to stretchable electronics more accessible and simplifying the design of complex, high-performance circuits.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The process for manufacturing a four-layer stretchable PCB using printing, via creation, and lamination.
* Why multilayer architectures are essential for high-performance flexible electronics.
* The key benefits for designers, including improved signal integrity, miniaturization, and a familiar design workflow.
π **Clip Abstract** VTT is developing a four-layer, fully stretchable PCB on an elastomer substrate to bring high performance to printed electronics. The process uses printing, via punching, and lamination to create complex circuits that offer improved signal integrity and a familiar design environment for engineers.
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#StretchablePCB, #MultilayerPrintedElectronics, #ElastomerSubstrate, #PrintedVias, #WearableElectronics, #FlexibleElectronics
00:04:46 - 00:05:15
How can early-stage process development be optimized to accelerate product realization in flexible hybrid electronics?
How can early-stage process development be optimized to accelerate product realization in flexible hybrid electronics?
The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on the early stages of product development, particularly the "how" of getting to a product, rather than solely concentrating on upscaling. This involves considering the inherent complexity of the systems being developed. VTT positions itself between academic concepts/demonstrators and industrial-scale production, aiming to bridge the challenging gap between initial ideas and mass manufacturing.
VTT has a team of approximately 100 researchers in printed electronics and operates pilot factories, including a printer pilot factory for upscaling and a new medical pilot, to expedite proof-of-concept and functional demonstrators. The organization's capabilities extend to upscaling processes like medical patch manufacturing, even in elastic formats, and designing functional components that integrate conventional electronics for applications like preclinical trials. These processes involve a combination of printing, laser cutting, and converting techniques such as mechanical cutting and lamination.
High-performance prototyping and proof-of-concept for field trials are crucial, especially for large organizations that excel in high-quantity manufacturing but struggle with the initial low-volume production runs (10 to 1000 pieces). Startups also benefit significantly from rapid prototyping to demonstrate viability to funders, facilitate preclinical trials, and conduct field testing, all while maintaining necessary functionality, electrical performance, integration, reliability, and test verification.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The strategic importance of early-stage process development in flexible hybrid electronics.
* How VTT bridges the gap between academic concepts and industrial production.
* The role of prototyping and pilot facilities in accelerating product realization.
π **Clip Abstract** This segment highlights the critical role of early-stage process development and prototyping in bridging the gap between academic concepts and industrial production in flexible hybrid electronics. It emphasizes VTT's capabilities and facilities for accelerating product realization.
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#FlexibleHybridElectronics, #ProcessDevelopment, #RapidPrototyping, #PilotManufacturing, #WearableElectronics, #Bioelectronics
05:36 - 07:13
How do you rapidly prototype a complex medical device that combines printing, microfluidics, and chip assembly in a single, versatile pilot line?
How do you rapidly prototype a complex medical device that combines printing, microfluidics, and chip assembly in a single, versatile pilot line?
VTT's medical device pilot line is designed for versatility, integrating multiple key manufacturing processes within the same cleanroom environment. This setup is crucial for accelerating the development of complex hybrid electronic devices. The core capabilities start with foundational printing and curing processes for depositing functional inks on large-format sheets.
The facility supports advanced integration, including chip and component assembly using pick-and-place technology. For creating multilayer structures, especially for microfluidics, the line incorporates both mechanical and laser cutting for precise shaping and via formation. This combination of additive and subtractive processes is essential for building complex, three-dimensional devices.
Beyond standard electronics, the pilot line accommodates specialized bio-application needs through high-precision dispensing of biomaterials that may not be suitable for printing. It also includes emerging capabilities for photonics integration and is equipped with extensive characterization and reliability testing labs. This cyclical process flow enables the fabrication and validation of sophisticated multilayer devices, streamlining the path from concept to functional prototype.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The key manufacturing steps available in a versatile hybrid electronics pilot line.
* How processes like printing, chip assembly, and laser cutting are combined for prototyping.
* The importance of a cyclical development process that includes characterization and reliability testing.
π **Clip Abstract** VTT's medical device pilot line offers a versatile, integrated cleanroom environment for rapid prototyping of complex hybrid electronics. It combines printing, chip assembly, precision cutting, and dispensing to enable a fast, cyclical development process for advanced medical and wearable devices.
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#HybridElectronicsManufacturing, #PrintedElectronicsPrototyping, #MicrofluidicsFabrication, #PrecisionComponentAssembly, #MedicalDevices, #WearableElectronics