Abstract

Printed electronics are all the rage, mostly passive, i.e., without energy storage devices (e.g., batteries and supercapacitors). However, the market for active battery-powered smart devices, such as active RFID tags, IoT sensors, and smart cards, has grown rapidly (> €100 billion market value, CAGR 10-15%) due to higher security, real-time tracking and updating, and less dependence on reader power, and has led to the rapid growth of the printed and thin-film battery market (CAGR 24%). 

Currently, these active smart objects are powered mainly by primary batteries such as Li-MnO2 and Zinc batteries. However, these batteries require frequent replacement (6-12 months). On the other hand, thin-film rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) require stringent moisture-free manufacturing, which is not easily translated to printing technologies, and their chemistry is often considered hazardous and flammable [1]. In addition, the raw materials for LIBs (e.g., Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel) are on the EU list of critical raw materials, which affects their sustainability.

FlexPower commercializes thin film, printed supercapacitors, and rechargeable zinc batteries (Figure 1) based on graphene electrodes and water electrolytes [2,3]. FlexPower’s technology is non-flammable and non-toxic, and all components of the device are disposable except for the polymer (e.g., PET) cell housing. In addition, the raw materials are not on the EU list of critical raw materials, ensuring the sustainability and independence of the technology’s value chain.

 Figure 1: FlexPower Printed Thin Film Graphene-based Supercapacitors and Batteries

[1]. Rassek, P., Wendler, M. and Krebs, M. (2018). Industrial Perspective on Printed Batteries. In Printed Batteries (eds S. Lanceros-Méndez and C.M. Costa)
[2] G. Wang, X. Feng, A. Shaygan Nia. Electrochemical component and its use, DE102021115802A1
[3] D. Sabaghi, X. Feng, A. Shaygan Nia. Electrochemical component and its use, DE102023128070.8
[4] X. Feng, K. Müllen et. al. Process for encapsulating metals and metal oxides with graphene and the use of these materials, US8611070B2

Speaker biography

Bio coming soon

Abstract

The convergence of additive manufacturing and printed electronics has the potential to enable a new generation of integrated sensor systems with unprecedented design flexibility and functional complexity. This talk will present our recent advances in digitally fabricating electronic components directly onto 3D printed substrates, with a focus on integrating conductive materials, sensing elements, and microfluidic architectures.

We will first discuss ironing-based surface smoothing for fused filament fabrication (FFF), which reduces surface roughness by up to 95%, enabling high-resolution printing of conductive traces and improving device reliability. This process is fully digital, compatible with standard FFF workflows, and applicable to both low- and high-temperature thermoplastics, including biocompatible materials like PEEK and PSU.

We demonstrate the integration of laser-induced graphene (LIG) directly onto 3D printed substrates using CO₂ laser scanning. This method produces flexible, nanostructured graphene suitable for strain sensors and microsupercapacitors, offering a balance between conductivity and mechanical compliance without requiring ink formulation or post-processing. We demonstrate a fully additively manufactured lithium ion sensor that integrates LIG electrodes functionalized with printed lithium manganese oxide (LMO) and enclosed within 3D printed microfluidic channels. The sensor exhibits high specificity for lithium ions.

Finally, we present our latest work on embedding fully printed organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) into 3D printed microfluidic systems. By combining dispense printing of low-resistance silver electrodes with inkjet printing of PEDOT:PSS channels, we achieve transconductance values exceeding 78 mS, among the highest reported for printed OECTs.

Together, these technologies establish a scalable, fully additive platform for fabricating customizable, application-specific sensor systems.

Speaker biography

Abstract

Abstract coming soon

Speaker biography

Bio coming soon

Abstract

The advances in the field of printed electronics are largely owed to developments in ink formulation as well as the refinement of printing techniques.

In this presentation, I will examine both aspects using examples from our recent work. On one hand, I will introduce an innovative method for structuring engraving cylinders for gravure printing. This approach enhances the quality of printed features and meets the stringent quality requirements of printed electronics, even in high-throughput processes.

On the other hand, I will present applications of MXenes in the field of printed electronics. MXenes are an emerging class of two-dimensional (2D) materials, composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. Their excellent metallic conductivity combined with their hydrophilic nature distinguishes MXenes from other 2D materials. Despite their recent discovery, MXenes are already being actively explored for applications in batteries, supercapacitors, electrocatalysts, sensors, the biomedical field, electromagnetic interference shielding, membranes, and flexible and wearable devices.

MXenes are outstanding candidates for printing inks as they can be readily exfoliated and dispersed in water and polar aprotic solvents. Specific to 2D materials, the very strong interparticle interactions between MXene flakes allow control of dispersion rheology via concentration, degree of delamination and particle size alone, making the use of binders obsolete. Two specific use cases will be discussed in more detail: slot die coating of single layer MXene inks into transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) [1] and formulation of MXene inks for gravure printing. [2]

[1] T. Guo et al., Large-Area Smooth Conductive Films Enabled by Scalable Slot-Die Coating of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene Aqueous Inks, Advanced Functional Materials, 2023, 33, 2213183. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202213183

[2] S. Abdolhosseinzadeh et al.  Inks for High-Throughput Printing of Electronics. Advanced Electronic Materials, 2024, 2400170. https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202400170

Speaker biography

Jakob Heier received a diploma in physics from the University of Konstanz (Germany) in 1994 and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University (US) in 1999. Since 2006 he is working at Empa in the Laboratory of Functional Polymers, today he is heading the group ”Functional Thin Film Solution Processing” and oversees the wet coating and printing activities in the Coating Competence Center of Empa. Jakob Heier’s current research focusses on two aspects of functional coatings: (1) investigations into 2D materials as functional ink for advanced electronic and photonic devices, (2) development of printing techniques to meet the needs of printed electronics.

Abstract

With increasing demand for low-cost, high-performance 2D devices, printing technologies such as screen and flexography offer a compelling path to scale. This presentation discusses key challenges and insights in the formulation and rheological design of functional inks, process control in manufacturing, and application-specific adaptation for scalable production. Case studies include roll-to-roll printing of conductive micro-circuits, biosensing layers, wearables, and sensors, demonstrating how precision, rheology, and process control align with high-throughput manufacturing.

Speaker biography

Prof Davide Deganello is Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Swansea University (UK) , where is a director of the Welsh Centre of Printing and Coating (WCPC), a leading research centre in printing technologies & printed electronics; His research focuses on the development of printable functional materials and printing technologies, promoting printing as an advanced manufacturing process for novel applications, in particular for energy storage, electronic, biomedical applications. Davide’s research covers material formulation and processing from one-off additive manufacturing to large scale roll-to-roll printing, supported by the study of underlining complex rheology. Davide has developed a sustained program of research, including a number of UK Research Council, collaborative & industrial awards, his research has led to a number of publications in high impact international journals, to patents and industrial investments. Davide is also a co-director of CAPTURE, Swansea University Centre of Expertise in Energy Storage and serves as Chair of Institute Of Physics Printing and Graphic Science Group (IOP PGS).

Abstract

Achieving low or zero-carbon emissions is a key part of the national strategy for many countries. The harnessing of solar energy, as one of nature’s most abundant and limitless renewable energy resources, has been pursued for many years, and continues to be one of the most viable options for the production of clean energy.

Printed solar cells represent a transformative approach to photovoltaic technology, offering lightweight, flexible, and low-cost energy solutions through high-throughput manufacturing techniques. Unlike traditional heavy and rigid silicon-based photovoltaics, printed solar cells can be fabricated using solution-based techniques such as layer-by-layer printing, enabling applications in portable electronics, building-integrated photovoltaics, automobiles and space.

 Over the past decade, CSIRO has developed advanced printing capabilities to facilitate the production of lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective thin film solar cells using vacuum-free high-throughput roll-to-roll (R2R) printing processes. In this talk, an overview of our journey from an early-stage attempt at research scale to a pre-commercial large-scale demonstration is presented.

Speaker biography

Dr. Mei Gao is a Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader of the Printable Photovoltaics (PV) team at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). She earned her PhD from the University of Wollongong, Australia. Her research expertise spans small molecule and polymer synthesis, surface modification, conducting polymers, and the development of high-sensitivity biosensors based on nanomaterials and, more recently, optoelectronic materials. Since 2011, Dr. Gao’s research has primarily focused on developing organic photovoltaics and perovskite solar cells on flexible substrates, aiming to achieve facile, solution-processable, reproducible, and fully printable high-performance single-junction and module devices through high-throughput roll-to-roll printing processes, with applications ranging from terrestrial power generation to space satellites.

Abstract

Abstract coming soon

Speaker biography

Bio coming soon

Abstract

Liquid metals have emerged as unique reaction media and templates for the formation of ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) metal oxides through spontaneous surface oxidation. These surface oxides, governed by Cabrera–Mott kinetics, can be rapidly grown and easily transferred due to weak interfacial forces. Early manual approaches such as touch and squeeze printing demonstrated the ability to isolate uniform, large-area 2D materials with sub-5 nm thicknesses. With advancements in liquid metal-based processing, recent developments are moving toward more controllable, machine-assisted lithography techniques, enabling patterned arrays, pen-style direct writing, and substrate-independent deposition of 2D structures. This evolving field opens scalable and rapid pathways for device-ready 2D materials, offering alternatives to conventional methods, positioning liquid metal lithography as a promising technology in next-generation device fabrication.

Speaker biography

Dr. Ali Zavabeti is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at RMIT University and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne. His teaching focuses on Systems Engineering and Process Control, and he actively supervises PhD students across a range of multidisciplinary research topics. Dr. Zavabeti’s primary research interests lie at the intersection of liquid metals, 2D materials, electronics, and chemical engineering, with a focus on developing novel 2D materials and nano-architectures for advanced nano-device applications. Before entering academia, he served  several years as an Automation Engineer, delivering solutions across various industrial sectors nationwide. His strong industry background brings a practical dimension to his academic work, bridging fundamental research with real-world engineering applications.

Abstract

Inkjet printing is encountered not only in traditional printing applications, but also in additive manufacturing, printed electronics and pharmaceutical manufacture. The underlying principles of droplet generation have been known for more than forty years, and a number of different types of generator have been developed: thermal bubble, piezoelectric, bimetallic expansion, electrostatic, laser bubble. This talk will cover the development and application of thermal bubble inkjet technology at Memjet, including strategic actions which assisted in the commercialization of this technology and the growth of an international inkjet printing platform developer and manufacturer.

Speaker biography

S.G. Mallinson received his BSc (honours in physics) from ANU in 1990, and his PhD in aerospace eengineering from UNSW (Canberra) is 1995. He worked as a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College (1996-8), a post-doctoral fellow at the Faculty of Engineering, UTS (1998-2000) and has been employed at Memjet (formerly Silverbrook Research) from 2000 until the present. He also holds an adjunct position at UNSW, where he collaborates with several academics. His research interests include fluid mechanics and heat transfer in general with a strong focus on inkjet printing. He has more than 100 US patents and more than 60 journal and conference publications.