Printed electronics is a true all-rounder. It adapts to irregular surfaces, bends effortlessly, can be applied to a wide range of materials, and is cost-effective to manufacture. Without printed electronics and the inks used in the process, many high-tech applications would not be possible. From February 26 to 27, the INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials will showcase functional inks and coatings at LOPEC in Munich, featuring customized properties for specific applications.
Conductivity, flexibility, stretchability, and recyclability – these are just a few of the many requirements for printed electronics, depending on the application. The inks used must have unique properties tailored to their intended function. To meet these demands, researchers at the INM have developed specialty inks with specific functionalities. Depending on the application, these inks can be highly stretchable, heatable, or temperature-sensitive.
One ink variant developed at INM is designed for energy-efficient, self-regulating heating systems. Its carbon-based composition is ideal for heated wearables, battery heating, smart building applications, and the automotive industry. Another variant, incorporating hybrid conductive fillers and polyurethane materials, is temperature-sensitive. It is perfectly suited for industrial sensors, providing stable performance in temperature detection and monitoring under various environmental conditions. A third variant stands out for its excellent conductivity and high reliability under mechanical stress. It is screen-printable and ideally suited for applications requiring flexible or stretchable conductive materials. This elastic ink has already been successfully tested and validated in industrial applications. Further ink solutions with specific functionalities are also possible, including a particularly sustainable ink designed for easy recycling and reuse.
LOPEC is the world’s leading trade fair for printed electronics. Held annually in Munich, it brings together experts from science and industry. INM will present its innovations at booth B0.610. In addition to functional inks, the German materials research institute will showcase advancements in functional surfaces with customized haptics, transparent heating structures, and satellite communication components.
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