What are flexible electronics?

Flexible electronics are printed circuits on materials that can be rolled up, such as paper or plastic. Stretchable substrates can also be used. Thanks to the flexibility of printed electronics, these circuits are suitable for a wide range of products, such as phones and TVs.

The printed circuits are powered by printed batteries or button cells. Additionally, an antenna or microchip can be incorporated into flexible electronics to harvest ambient energy.

Flexible electronics are gaining popularity due to their product characteristics, such as low power consumption, high flexibility, reliability, and lightweight design.

A variant of flexible electronics is hybrid electronics, which include an additional Integrated Circuit (IC).

In this blog, we highlight some key trends in flexible electronics.

Flexibility Drives More Than Cost Reduction

It was initially expected that flexible electronics would significantly reduce costs, as their production costs are lower. However, cost reduction has not proven to be the primary driver of progress in flexible electronics. Research and development (R&D) expenses and equipment costs are high, and the final product is not always more cost-effective (depending on the specific product).

As a result, the focus has shifted from cost reduction to value creation, emphasizing characteristics such as thinness, lightweight design, durability, stretchability, flexibility, and broader substrate compatibility. The use of flexible electronics thus offers substantial advantages.

Increasing Applications for Flexible Electronics

The smartphone industry, in particular, is benefiting from advances in flexible electronics technology. For example, circuits are already being used in Samsung phones. In 2019, Samsung introduced the first foldable phone: the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

Flexible electronics are also highly useful for wearable products with sensors and displays, as these devices can adapt to the wearer's body without compromising functionality.

The Future of Flexible Electronics

The market for flexible electronics is expected to continue growing due to the increasing demand for smaller and thinner products.

Currently, this technology is most commonly used in consumer electronics, but it is anticipated that its applications will expand to other sectors, such as the medical industry.

Curious About the Possibilities of Flexible Electronics?

Are you curious about the possibilities of flexible electronics or do you have questions about them? Feel free to contact us by emailing info@metafas.nl, calling +31 495-695 578, or submitting your question via our contact form using the button below.