BOSTON, May 3, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Sensors act as a middle ground between the physical
and digital. They measure all sorts of variables from touch,
temperature, and heart rate across many different sectors,
which IDTechEx's report "Printed and Flexible Sensors
2024-2034: Technologies, Players, Markets" explores in detail. As
technology continues to become streamlined and autonomous, there is
a great demand for multi-functionality and seamlessness, meaning a
high demand for sensors that can be printed and applied to flexible
surfaces. IDTechEx explores the main sectors where this technology
is in most demand.
Automotive safety
Battery health monitoring in electric vehicles using
multi-functional hybrid sensors is an emerging role for printed and
flexible sensors. Temperature and pressure sensors can be
integrated together with minimal interference to prevent
overheating or battery failure, helping contribute greatly to the
vehicle's safety.
Electric vehicle batteries are being developed to have greater
energy density and go longer between charges, requiring advanced
monitoring as a result. Printed and flexible sensors work by
converting physical measurements into electrical signals, meaning
they respond to any swelling or rise in temperature into an alert
within the car, helping solve any issues fast. As vehicles are
moving towards autonomy and becoming electric, it makes sense to
incorporate this seamless integration of sensors.
Seat occupancy detection in vehicles uses piezoresistive
sensors, which detect force as pressure is applied. These sensors
allow cars to keep passengers safe by reminding them to wear
seatbelts. IDTechEx states that force sensors are the largest
printed sensor market and are likely to remain so. For more
information, see the IDTechEx report, "Electric Vehicles: Land,
Sea, and Air 2024-2044"
Dashboard sensors
Greater touch-sensitive inputs using capacitive or force sensors
is a future possibility for the automotive sector, as printed
sensors can be integrated conformably into curved surfaces of
vehicles such as the dashboard or car door. Printed touch sensors
enable user interface across large areas for infotainment and
control systems in the vehicle, such as opening windows or changing
songs. The possibility of these sensors being transparent would
allow for cooperative integration and a seamless aesthetic, and
they can even be printed onto glass. Innovations in flexible,
non-printed capacitive touch sensing technology do pose a threat to
this application, but printed sensors remain the most compelling
solution for large-area use cases.
Consumer electronics
IDTechEx predicts that fingerprint authentication will maintain
its prominence as an addressable application for the printed
flexible sensor market. With touchscreens expanding to the very
edges of the device, there is a growing demand for fingerprint
security solutions that provide biometric authentication across the
entire display. Printed sensors can be used in smartphones and
tablets, where photodetectors embedded within the display panel
enable passive biometric authentication during operation.
Gaming controllers and inputs could be revolutionized with
printed flexible 3D force sensors. Where multiple keys or buttons
have always been used for various functions, pressure measurement
can offer an additional dimension of user experience and
interaction. More functionalities can be added to a lower number of
controls, using pressure to activate additional functions over a
smaller area. Laptops could also benefit from this added
functionality, integrating pressure sensitivity within keyboards
and trackpads, meaning more value for customers and enhancing user
experience.
Industrial
Image sensors that can flexibly conform to surfaces can be used
for weld inspections for oil pipelines and submersibles to minimize
hazards and increase efficiency. Routine testing of pipes to ensure
proper function is something that is not easily carried out, and
currently, fixed-size image sensors are moved around the joint to
image it in 3D. With printed flexible sensors, the entire joint can
be imaged conformally without the need to move them around and can
cover large areas while producing high-resolution images.
IDTechEx's report "Emerging Image Sensor Technologies 2024-2034:
Applications and Markets" explores this further.
Dr Jack Howley, Technology
Analyst at IDTechEx and author of the "Printed and Flexible Sensors
2024-2034: Technologies, Players, Markets" report, states that
"changes in perspectives within the industry are causing
technology providers to question how printed and flexible sensors
can truly add value. Although they are fantastic for uses in the
automotive sector, it could be beneficial to assess where printed
sensors could fill gaps in various sectors, rather than assuming
there will always be a demand for them, to secure the industry's
future. The market stands at almost half a billion dollars, and
IDTechEx predicts it could reach just shy of US$1 billion in ten years' time, so despite it
not being a large market, there is room for innovation and
growth".
To find out more about the IDTechEx report "Printed and Flexible
Sensors 2024-2034: Technologies, Players, Markets", including
downloadable sample pages, please visit
www.IDTechEx.com/flexsensors.
For more information about the market research available from
IDTechEx, please see www.IDTechEx.com.
About IDTechEx:
IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging
technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been
helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply
chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more
information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or
visit www.IDTechEx.com.
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Rogers
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press@IDTechEx.com
+44(0)1223 812300
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SOURCE IDTechEx