FAQ

  • 1.

    What is the history behind InSCOPE

    InSCOPE is a H2020 financed project with the aim to advance printed electronics demonstrators to production prototype s (TRL 7) Thereto we have selected 4 showcases to show the possibilities of Printed electronics. While there is no shortage of TOLAE concept ideas and product prototypes related to automotive, healthcare, smart packaging and buildings, the available production capability and functionality maturity for realizing these products in the required numbers is lacking worldwide. Consequently, qualifying materials and manufacturing processes or evaluating products in an operational environment are not accessible to end-users, interested in this technology. And that is where the idea for InSCOPE project came up. In order to facilitate the market introduction of printed electronics devices, production processes need to be ready for large scale pilot production and accessible to all interested parties. In parallel, performance and reliability of product prototypes need to be demonstrated in relevant conditions. To respond to these needs.

  • 2.

    Who are the partners of InSCOPE project?

    InSCOPE consists of 11 partners (please see here). Kone, Philips lighting, GSK and Bosch are part of them too. Then there are research institutes: Holst centrer (the Netherlands), VTT (Finland), CPI (the UK), imec (Belgium), CEA(France), WPK (Spain). AMIRES is helping with management and dissemination related tasks. All these companies act as one consortium.

  • 3.

    Why KONE, Bosch, GSK and Philips are part of this project?

    The InSCOPE service needs to be validated before its opening, therefore, the validation of the pilot line service will be done on 4 Showcases and 15 development cases. The 4 InSCOPE showcases are:

    • a)Consumer interacting lighting foils for interior housing (Philips Lighting).
    • b)Haptic sensors for automotive dashboards (BOSCH)
    • c)Interactive media surfaces in elevators (KONE)
    • d)Smart Pharmaceutical packaging (GSK)

  • 4.

    What do each of the partners bring to the InSCOPE project?

    Partners providing service to industry by combining know-how and capabilities for manufacturing printed electronics products on a large scale and in a reliable matter. For example a flexoprinting step (at VTT), or roll to roll screen printing (at Holst Centre ), volume electrical component assembly with a TAL15,000 Muehlbauer (at CPI) and in-mold electronics (at Walterpack).

  • 5.

    What advances have been made through the project?

    First, hybrid printed electronics prototypes have been provided. These include new equipment base and process flow, that enabled higher throughputs and substantial costs reductions compared to conventional fabrication means. Second, it has brought new functionalities including large area electronic functionalities, interactive surfaces and actuators, resulting in improvements in thickness, flexibility, stretchability and shapeability of electronics.

  • 6.

    What do we see as key markets that can be impacted by InSCOPE?

    The InSCOPE pilot line will provide prototyping for hybrid TOLAE products commercialized by wide range of SMEs addressing mainly HEALTHCARE, BUILDING, AUTOMOTIVE AND SMART PACKING sectors. A generic feature of SME motivation to integrate hybrid TOLAE process are: A) fast access to prototypes, B) lower manufacturing costs, C) increased functionality. The preliminary selection includes products for developing market segments (e.g. personal food testing, continuous pregnancy monitoring, registered post envelope) and high-value additions to the product on established markets (e.g. tire/fleet monitoring, bike lighting). Overall these companies have potential to generate revenues over 60M€ by hybrid TOLAE enabled products, which will significantly strengthen the European position in hybrid TOLAE production & market applications.

  • 7.

    What are the services of InSCOPE pilot line?

    • The users of the pilot line service can benefit from the knowledge of the InSCOPE consortium to transform their existing (hybrid) Printed electronics demonstrator into a production prototype ready for volume manufacturing.
    • The InSCOPE consortium provides an overview and test the available production process that is state of the art in printed electronics. This involves the best printing, assembly and post-process steps available at the RTO’s. Proposals for
      an optimal production within InSCOPE pilot line is offered to our Customers.
    • End-users of the pilot line service will eventually require sampling at industrial relevant scale. This entitles field trials, clinical tests and/or customer satisfaction trials. InSCOPE samplings are reliable and non-fault to pass such tests.