Periodic Reporting for period 3 - INNPAPER (Innovative and Smart Printed Electronics based on Multifunctionalized Paper: from Smart Labelling to Point of Care Bioplatforms)
Reporting period: 2020-07-01 to 2021-12-31
The rising production and use of short lifetime electronic devices nowadays results in the generation of an increasing volume of electronic waste, which is becoming a growing environmental and health The rising production and use of short lifetime electronic devices nowadays results in the generation of an increasing volume of electronic waste, which is becoming a growing environmental and health problem due to their hazardous substances content. To tackle the fast increasing waste stream, treatment, recycling and/or re-use of electronics at the end of their life is essential. In this context, the use of paper as functional part of electronic components is emerging as a promising solution. In spite of the large potential of paper as the core-component of electronic devices, existing paper-based electronic systems are still scarce.
INNPAPER project aims at providing a plastic free electronic platform integrating three paper-based devices (battery, display and NFC system) printed on a multifunctional paper sheet. The platform is designed to enable the subsequent production of multiple use-cases by incorporation of specific components and sensors. The feasibility and versatility of the platform will be demonstrated in the project through the generation of 3 use-cases:
• Smart-labels for food packaging
• PoC quantitative immunoassays for drug (THC) and caffeine detection
• PoC genetic assays for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases
INNPAPER project aims at providing a plastic free electronic platform integrating three paper-based devices (battery, display and NFC system) printed on a multifunctional paper sheet. The platform is designed to enable the subsequent production of multiple use-cases by incorporation of specific components and sensors. The feasibility and versatility of the platform will be demonstrated in the project through the generation of 3 use-cases:
• Smart-labels for food packaging
• PoC quantitative immunoassays for drug (THC) and caffeine detection
• PoC genetic assays for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases
During the second period (M13-M30), the main results achieved are the following:
Papers with tailored conductivity, hydrophobicity and porosity for the use-cases were adjusted. A nanocellulose/carbon nanotube ink was demonstrated as great material for humidity sensor. Transparent cellulose films with tailored microstructure and hydrophobicity were proved as potential cover layer for electrochromic displays. For use-case 2 (PoC immunosensors), printable fluidic channels using nanocellulose-based inks were developed and papers with tailored bioreactivity were also made with improved affinity of the paper-based fluidic channels to protein and anti-bodies. SUTCO line for production of nanopapers and the following patterning line using roll-to-roll nanoimprinting as well as plasma line for hydrophobization of nanopapers were settled. In addition, production of MNFC was scaled up. The quality of MNCF was improved and reached the production capacity to 200 and 5000 kg for pilot and industrial scales, respectively.
Regarding the devices, cellulose-based electrolytes for the printed batteries and electrochromic displays were formulated following two approaches: 1- Generation of high solid content viscous electrolytes 2- Self-standing hydrogel electrolytes formed by crosslinking agents. Both, functional co-planar Zinc Carbon printed batteries and electrochromic displays based on the cellulose-based electrolytes were successfully produced on Powercoat paper.
The communication system for interfacing the sensors to a memory and for exchanging the data to the phone was also developed and tested in real case configurations.
For use-case 1 (smart labels), printed environmental devices are required: a temperature sensor was developed for measurements between -10°C to +60°C, with very stable results between -10°C and +20°C. Humidity sensors with good correlation between the variation of the humidity and the current collected was also achieved. The first pressure sensors on paper were also tested offering good response.
For use-case 2 (PoC immunosensors), different strategies are being followed. One of the most innovative approaches is the one consisting of a cellulose based printed porous channel above mentioned. Results obtained are promising but integration of the electrochemical detection is not ready.
Finally, for use-case 3 (PoC genosensors), the work for this period was focused at building new capabilities for paper microfluidic and at improving the electrochemical detection on paper.
For the manufacturing of the common platform and the 3 use-cases, the final design was made. The development of a debugging test PCB to test both the different elements was addressed. Two electronic platforms (one for the use-cases 1 and 3, and one for the use-case 2) were designed and fabricated. A free application available on smartphones was successfully tested for the collection, display and storage of the data on the Cloud.
First trials on the manufacturing of the common platform on paper by screen-printing were successfully performed following this process flow: 1- printing of the conducting tracks, the antenna and the connecting pads, 2-printing of the display, 3-printing of the battery. The functionality of the different devices has been proven. The next steps are the pick & place of the silicon-based components and the characterization.
The focus of the communication strategy has been on community building and on stakeholder engagement via the newsletter, the social media, press office activities and communication at events. An open call for new ideas have been launched (https://innpaper.eu/open-call/). Four scientific articles have been already published in peer-reviewed scientific journals while 2 additional ones have been already submitted. Moreover, 4 patents applications have been generated.
Papers with tailored conductivity, hydrophobicity and porosity for the use-cases were adjusted. A nanocellulose/carbon nanotube ink was demonstrated as great material for humidity sensor. Transparent cellulose films with tailored microstructure and hydrophobicity were proved as potential cover layer for electrochromic displays. For use-case 2 (PoC immunosensors), printable fluidic channels using nanocellulose-based inks were developed and papers with tailored bioreactivity were also made with improved affinity of the paper-based fluidic channels to protein and anti-bodies. SUTCO line for production of nanopapers and the following patterning line using roll-to-roll nanoimprinting as well as plasma line for hydrophobization of nanopapers were settled. In addition, production of MNFC was scaled up. The quality of MNCF was improved and reached the production capacity to 200 and 5000 kg for pilot and industrial scales, respectively.
Regarding the devices, cellulose-based electrolytes for the printed batteries and electrochromic displays were formulated following two approaches: 1- Generation of high solid content viscous electrolytes 2- Self-standing hydrogel electrolytes formed by crosslinking agents. Both, functional co-planar Zinc Carbon printed batteries and electrochromic displays based on the cellulose-based electrolytes were successfully produced on Powercoat paper.
The communication system for interfacing the sensors to a memory and for exchanging the data to the phone was also developed and tested in real case configurations.
For use-case 1 (smart labels), printed environmental devices are required: a temperature sensor was developed for measurements between -10°C to +60°C, with very stable results between -10°C and +20°C. Humidity sensors with good correlation between the variation of the humidity and the current collected was also achieved. The first pressure sensors on paper were also tested offering good response.
For use-case 2 (PoC immunosensors), different strategies are being followed. One of the most innovative approaches is the one consisting of a cellulose based printed porous channel above mentioned. Results obtained are promising but integration of the electrochemical detection is not ready.
Finally, for use-case 3 (PoC genosensors), the work for this period was focused at building new capabilities for paper microfluidic and at improving the electrochemical detection on paper.
For the manufacturing of the common platform and the 3 use-cases, the final design was made. The development of a debugging test PCB to test both the different elements was addressed. Two electronic platforms (one for the use-cases 1 and 3, and one for the use-case 2) were designed and fabricated. A free application available on smartphones was successfully tested for the collection, display and storage of the data on the Cloud.
First trials on the manufacturing of the common platform on paper by screen-printing were successfully performed following this process flow: 1- printing of the conducting tracks, the antenna and the connecting pads, 2-printing of the display, 3-printing of the battery. The functionality of the different devices has been proven. The next steps are the pick & place of the silicon-based components and the characterization.
The focus of the communication strategy has been on community building and on stakeholder engagement via the newsletter, the social media, press office activities and communication at events. An open call for new ideas have been launched (https://innpaper.eu/open-call/). Four scientific articles have been already published in peer-reviewed scientific journals while 2 additional ones have been already submitted. Moreover, 4 patents applications have been generated.
INNPAPER will develop and demonstrate a new disruptive and sustainable, configurable paper-based platform for electronics. One of the main advances will be total replacement of plastic by paper. To enable this, WP2 will gather together the individual tailored properties in the same paper sheet to generate a very innovative multifunctional paper meeting the needs of electronics devices and applications planned in INNPAPER. Moreover, in INNPAPER the cellulose will be not only an inert substrate, but used as an electronic material and active component. Thus, in INNPAPER the paper will act as current collector and intrinsic electrode (conducting / semiconducting paper), as matrix to host the electrochromic species and the electrolyte in electrochromic displays (ECDs), as additive to tailor the viscosity of the inks, as insulator in batteries, etc.
The configurable platform will be the basis for the manufacture of the INNPAPER use cases.
By showcasing its multi-functionality, the INNPAPER solutions will enhance the attractiveness of paper as a substitute to the materials commonly used in printed electronics, such as polyimide and epoxy-based materials, as well as other plastic foils (PET, PEN), thus reducing the environmental impact of electronics.
Furthermore, by connecting the European forest fibre industry and the printed electronics community together around open pilot lines already available at RTOs, INNPAPER will have a major impact in providing the industry with new market opportunities based on paper-based electronics for a broad range of application areas.
Finally, since the common platform and the use cases will include different electronic devices, INNPAPER will demonstrate the use of paper/cellulose as a solution to provide sustainable electronic systems in a wide range of applications.
The configurable platform will be the basis for the manufacture of the INNPAPER use cases.
By showcasing its multi-functionality, the INNPAPER solutions will enhance the attractiveness of paper as a substitute to the materials commonly used in printed electronics, such as polyimide and epoxy-based materials, as well as other plastic foils (PET, PEN), thus reducing the environmental impact of electronics.
Furthermore, by connecting the European forest fibre industry and the printed electronics community together around open pilot lines already available at RTOs, INNPAPER will have a major impact in providing the industry with new market opportunities based on paper-based electronics for a broad range of application areas.
Finally, since the common platform and the use cases will include different electronic devices, INNPAPER will demonstrate the use of paper/cellulose as a solution to provide sustainable electronic systems in a wide range of applications.