LOPEC 2024: Printed electronics for the mobility transition

From battery monitoring in electric vehicles to safety features for autonomous driving: Printed electronics is driving innovation in the automotive sector. “The technology is already an integral part of vehicle construction today and is indispensable for the mobility of the next generation,” says Wolfgang Mildner, General Chair of LOPEC and CEO of the consulting and technology company MSWtech. Printed electronics devices are so flexible and thin that they can be integrated seamlessly into any object or surface. Thanks to their compactness, they also help to reduce the weight of vehicles. “There are many arguments for the use of printed electronics in automotive engineering. That’s why we see more and more successful applications at LOPEC every year,” emphasises Mildner. Established examples include seat occupancy sensors for airbag control, surfaces with touch functions as an alternative to mechanical buttons and innovative lighting and heating concepts.

The emphasis is on greater safety and comfort when driving. LOPEC exhibitor Henkel, for example, offers inks with overheating protection for printed seat heaters. The composition of the ink can be used to set a maximum temperature so that the seat heating switches off automatically at 60 degrees Celsius, for example. The technology is also suitable for safely heating the interior of electric vehicles, as new concepts are required here due to the lack of waste heat from the engine. LOPEC exhibitor InnovationLab therefore recommends printed heating elements not only for seats, but also for steering wheels, armrests and other surfaces close to the body. InnovationLab will soon be using transparent printed heating elements to protect windscreens and headlights from icing and fogging. Backlit heating elements in the interior are also possible.

Focus on e-mobility and autonomous driving

Printed heating foils can also be used to preheat the battery in the electric vehicle to increase its performance and service life. As the pressure conditions in the battery pack are also crucial for this, InnovationLab has developed a battery monitoring system consisting of printed temperature and pressure sensors. It records the conditions in the cells and supports battery optimisation. The batteries work best when all cells have the same voltage. This is where LOPEC exhibitor IEE comes into play with its battery balancing. The company offers complete solutions consisting of printed sensors and other components that monitor the voltage level of the many cells and balance the charge. IEE’s portfolio also includes battery safety sensors that detect imminent overheating or other dangerous battery conditions early enough. Hands-on/off detection (HOD) from IEE, on the other hand, is a must for autonomous driving. A printed multi-zone sensor detects whether the driver has a firm grip on the steering wheel or is only touching it lightly or not at all. This information is crucial for safely switching from automated to manual driving mode.

Innovation driver in many industries

As a key and cross-sectional technology, printed electronics acts as a booster in many industries. “Representatives from a wide range of industries meet at LOPEC and inspire each other,” emphasises LOPEC Exhibition Director Armin Wittmann. Exhibitor E Ink, for example, is now entering a new market with the automotive industry. The company’s electronic paper has so far mainly been used in e-readers but is also an ideal solution for self-tinting windows, digital signage, electric license plates and car bodywork that changes color and pattern at the touch of a button. “Printed electronics expands both the technical possibilities and the creative scope. This makes the technology unbeatable in many sectors of the economy,” summarises Wolfgang Mildner. LOPEC provides cross-industry information about the products and potential of printed electronics along the entire value chain.

The next LOPEC takes place in Munich from March 5-7, 2024 (exhibition: March 6 and 7, 2024).