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Where the rubber hits the road: FHE making waves in motorized transportation
By Peter Kallai
Remember when cars didn’t have touchscreen displays and Wi-Fi on a flight was a pipe dream?
That wasn’t so long ago, and now these technologies are commonplace. Digital transformation and connectivity is rapidly reshaping motorized transport on land, at sea and in the air.
This extends to applications for flexible and hybrid electronics (FHE). A 2016 report from IDTechEx forecast the global market for printed/flexible electronics in automotive applications to grow from a few hundred million dollars to more than US$5.5 billion in the span of a decade, driven by the growth of FHE technologies in-mould electronics and organic LEDs (OLEDs).
Why? Because of the same benefits FHE delivers for other applications – flexibility of design for a range of applications, low-cost, low-power and small physical footprint.
FHE components are already found in seat occupancy sensors and heating elements, electrochromic mirror and window glass, and touch screens. Audi, BMW and others are designing tail lights with OLEDs that are thinner, lighter and capable of far more stylish designs than conventional options. Jaguar Land Rover is pushing the boundaries of windshield projection and making the pillars between doors “transparent” with embedded screens. The health of the humble tire can now be monitored with printed sensors that could cost less than a penny each in mass production.
These applications aren’t just for wheels on the road, but for any form of motorized transport, included aerospace.
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 CEO Profile: Robert Berger of MW Canada
In the first installment of our new recurring feature, we chat with Robert Berger, president of intelliFLEX member company MW Canada.
As a vertically integrated textile mill, this third-generation family business is able to shift gears quickly in sampling and production. Depending on customer needs, dry and wet textile processing can produce standard or unique end products.
In fact, Berger says about 80 per cent of the custom shading designs found in a retailer’s catalogue originate from MW Canada’s operations in Cambridge, ON. Last year, 97 per cent of the company’s business came from export sales. Major retailers stocking MW Canada’s products include Hunter Douglas, Costco, Home Depot and Blinds to Go.
In an industry that has been under siege in recent decades from overseas competition, Berger has kept MW Canada top of its industry by always looking ahead. That includes investing in the development of “technical” fabrics and smart textiles.
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ARE YOU PART OF THE CONVERSATION?
In addition to receiving our regular email communications, don’t forget to follow us on social media:
On Twitter: @intelliFLEX_org
On LinkedIn: Join our Groups – Printed Electronics Network, intelliPACK, intelliWEAR – or follow us on our intelliFLEX profile page. Our Printed Electronics Network, for example, has just passed 3,000 members!
Don’t miss the opportunity to establish your industry thought leadership and promote your products and services to our engaged, global audiences.
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intelliFLEX and MEMBER NEWS
We have made it easy for you to submit your news to us for the News and Events sections of our website and this newsletter. Please use the online form on our public site.
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 CSAGroup seeks mirror committee participants to develop printed electronics and wearable technology standards
CSAGroup is developing Printed Electronics standards through its accredited Standards Development Process. Members of a mirror committee will work in collaboration to develop the content of the Standard and to address alignment and harmonization as applicable with relevant international standards developed by IEC TC 119 – Printed Electronics, or to develop national standards applicable to the Canadian Industry. The next meeting of this committee will take place in April.
Related to this, CSAGroup is also looking for industry organizations to participate on a mirror committee to develop standards for TC124 – Wearable Tech.
If you are interested in learning more about either standard and working on a mirror committee, please contact Project Manager Calvin Lee at Calvin.Lee@csagroup.org.
NOTE: CSA Group offers online training sessions to members to support the knowledge and skills necessary to actively participate in the standards development process. Please contact Calvin for more information.
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 Brewer Science earns GreenCircle Certification for zero waste to landfill
Brewer Science has earned Zero Waste to Landfill Certification for the third consecutive year. The Zero Waste to Landfill Certification represents Brewer Science’s commitment to the responsible management of end-of-life materials and demonstrates the company’s commitment to waste diversion practices. Brewer Science is the only company in the semiconductor industry with this certification.
Read the full story.
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 Henkel, Holst Centre continue collaboration
This long-term collaboration focuses on developments related to health patch technologies and products. Drawing on a range of complementary expertise, Henkel and Holst Centre will continue the development of several solutions in the field of wearable devices.
Read the full story.
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 Fujifilm to take over Xerox in $6.1-billion deal, slash 10,000 jobs
Japan's Fujifilm Holdings is set to take over Xerox Corp in a $6.1-billion deal, combining the U.S. company into their existing joint venture to gain scale and cut costs amid declining demand for office printing. The acquisition comes as Xerox has been under pressure to find new sources of growth as it struggles to reinvent its legacy business amid waning demand for office printing. Fujifilm is also trying to streamline its copier business with a larger focus on document solutions services.
Read the full story and see our CPES sponsor spotlight below with the Xerox Research Centre of Canada.
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 Jannatec Technologies is on the cutting edge of manufacturing and producing mining cap lamps and tracking systems. The Johnny Light and JAWS (Jannatec Advanced Warning System) are Jannatec’s flagship products that have helped revolutionize mining safety. Jannatec’s attention to safety and function combined with the development of new products are what make it an industry leader both in Canada and abroad.
 Nanogrande is the first company in the world to offer additive manufacturing with molecular scale definition. It has developed the first 3D printer capable of manufacturing at the molecular scale, to assemble layers of particles as thin as 1 nm and create a 3D object with unprecedented definition. Nanogrande also develops coating tools, manufacturing processes and nanometric functional surfaces.
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intelliFLEX and MEMBER RESOURCES
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Have you checked out the new intelliFLEX Membership Portal?
Earlier this month, we notified our members about the new intelliFLEX Membership Portal, where you can:
- Create compelling corporate profiles by sharing contact and profile information for your organization’s Account Manager and Executive Champion.
- Make and create connections through detailed member profiles of all existing members in our database.
- Communicate with Committee members through our new Forums feature or create your own topics to discuss.
- Download and gain insight from the extensive catalogue of over 150 articles and presentations in our Knowledge Base.
- Receive member pricing on all documents in our Publications library – most are free to active members.
- Obtain the codes for member discounts on intelliFLEX and partner events.
You can log-in using your existing member ID and password. If you do not remember your password you can reset it here, follow the links provided in your reconfirmation email to get access, or contact us for a manual password reset.
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Build your dream team with OPE Careers
Our industry is growing and intelliFLEX Members are hiring. Build your dream team for printable, flexible, and hybrid electronics. OPE Careers is a unique web portal to promote your career opportunities across North America and abroad.
You may have jobs posted on other sites, but only here can you get premier positioning and industry-specific exposure. For professionals and employers alike, the journey to connect talent with opportunity begins right here.
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Industry INTELLIGENCE to get ahead
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Get a special 20% discount on all IDTechEx Market reports
intelliFLEX members can purchase any IDTechEx report for 20 per cent off. Please contact Peter Kallai for the IDTechEx report promo code at pkallai@intelliflex.org.
Save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to access high-value reports like:
This report covers everything you need to know about stretchable electronics. It provides the most comprehensive and insightful view of this diverse emerging industry, assessing more than 32 product areas, analysing more than 16 different stretchable materials/components, covering the progress of more than 87 companies and 25 research institutes, including first-hand primary research on 59 companies, and giving 10-year market forecasts segmented by application and material/component areas.
Learn more and order.
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intelliFLEX and PARTNER EVENTS
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Ramping up for CPES2018
Check out of the full conference site and save some cash by registering early!
Canada’s premier conference and tradeshow exhibition for printable, flexible and hybrid electronics runs at Centennial College in Toronto, May 23 and 24.
CPES2018 Sponsor Spotlight: XRCC
Gold Sponsor Xerox Research Centre of Canada is Canada’s leading materials research centre, home to a world-class team of scientists and engineers with broad expertise in materials chemistry, formulation design, prototyping, testing, and chemical process engineering. The centre delivers real-world solutions for Xerox and external customers in areas such as electronic materials, sustainable chemical processes, coatings, and security/authentication, as well as novel technologies for the printing, electronics, and manufacturing industries.
XRCC offer fee-for-service research, development, engineering, scale-up and materials supply. Its team provides proven expertise and infrastructure to accelerate your technology development and commercialization. Clients can explore or validate new materials technologies, expand their product offerings, or develop single research projects through to multi-project programs.
Key CPES2018 dates
Register ASAP – because these parts of the CPES2018 program are first come, first served:
- Startup LaunchPad: Where qualifying startups can exhibit and attend CPES2018 at substantially discounted rates. Limited number of spots available.
- Startup mentoring for CPES2018 pitch sessions – limited to 10 qualifying companies, mentoring starts March 2.
- Tabletop exhibit spots: sign up before they are all gone.
February 23: Speaker, Academic and Technical Poster Proposals. Submit your proposal here now.
March 31: Regular early bird pricing ends – save $100 off the regular CPES2018 admission before midnight, March 31.
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Winter 2018 Calendar of Events
February 20, Edmonton: Regional intelliFLEX Networking Dinner & Meeting
Register now.
February 21, Edmonton: Introduction to Flexible & Hybrid Electronics One-Day Course with ABCtech
Space is limited – sign up today. We’ll also be offering one in Calgary that week … stay tuned for details.
February 23, Toronto: intelliPACK Leadership Council (morning)
The Council will continue its discussions into environmental practices, funding and the future of the sector.
Learn more.
February 23, Toronto: intelliWEAR Leadership Council (afternoon)
The Council continues to pick up momentum, with a strong representation from the East and the West.
Learn more.
March 6, Toronto: Introduction to Flexible & Hybrid Electronics One-Day Course
An overview for those interested in learning about printable, flexible and hybrid electronics. Special discounts available for members of IEEE Toronto, Chemical Institute of Canada – Toronto Chapter and CIC. A reception will follow, including tours of XRCC.
Space is limited – sign up today!
March 19, Montreal: Special meeting of Quebec stakeholders
This event is specifically geared for Quebec member of intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance, or for Quebec companies considering becoming members.
Learn more.
March 28, Paris: AFELIM Printed Electronics Meeting
The annual meeting of the industry by intelliFLEX’s French counterpart, AFELIM. This is an excellent opportunity for our Members to engage with European and other international industry players.
In fact, intelliFLEX Members get a 20 per cent discount on admission. Contact Leo Valiquette at lvaliquette@intelliflex.org for the discount code.
Learn more and register.
June 26-28, San Jose: Sensors Expo & Conference
The Sensors Conference is where you’ll find the best in the sensors industry, along with new and innovative ways to jump start your sensor solutions. It’s North America’s largest and most comprehensive educational program that brings thousands of engineering professionals together under one roof.
intelliFLEX members receive a US$100 discount from the VIP, Gold, and Main Conference Passes or a free Expo Hall Pass. To claim this benefit, please contact Leo Valiquette at lvaliquette@.intelliflex.org.
Learn more about the conference.
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Volunteer opportunities with intelliFLEX
We are seeking volunteers in Ottawa and/or Toronto who are eager to gain valuable experience and make connections within our industry. Are you a self-motivated and dependable individual willing to provide a consistent number of hours per week, from home or the local coffee shop, as part of a small team that accomplishes big things?
As a volunteer, you will work directly with our team on various activities equal to your abilities. These activities include:
- Managing our social media relationships through Twitter and LinkedIn
- Providing assistance on-site with registration and logistics at our events, including workshops, training courses, meetings and our annual conference in Toronto, CPES2018
- Industry research in support of our workshop, training course and other program development
- Other supportive duties as suited to your skills and availability
Why volunteer with intelliFLEX?
Consider this – our last volunteer secured full-time employment through the contacts he made working with us. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about emerging technologies and real applications for printable, flexible and hybrid electronics, and to engage with the movers and shakers who are driving this global growth industry.
Depending on your interests and career goals, this role could also evolve into a part-time paid position.
Volunteering requires a high level of integrity and discretion. Experience required with office productivity software, CRM systems (Agile).
Time commitment and specific responsibilities to be discussed.
If interested, please contact Peter Kallai at pkallai@intelliflex.org with resume and three references.
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