28 Spring / Printemps 2017 28 Spring / Printemps 20 017 7 PE can be used to create discreet components such as displays, conductors, transistors, sensors, light emitting diodes, photovol- taic energy capture cells, memory, logic processing, system clocks, antennas, batteries, and low- voltage electronic interconnects. These can be integrated into sim- ple systems that, for example, can record, store, and then transmit temperature information. Fully functional electronic systems can be created in this way, or discreet components and sub-systems can be produced to function as part of a hybrid solution with con- ventional silicon-based integrated circuits or components. Creating more intel- ligent buildings and connected homes PE can redefine and enhance many of the conventional systems that are allowing intelligent homes and connected buildings to achieve new levels of energy efficiency, automation and occupant comfort. The modern commercial building is morphing into an intelligent building at a rapid pace. Sensors, analytics, and controls using conventional elec- tronics are already mainstream to improve efficiency, services, occu- pant comfort and safety. PE’s advan- tages over conventional electronics in terms of form factor, flexibility and cost are driving research and commercial development into new applications for lighting, HVAC, fire, access and safety systems (see The Office Remade on page follow- ing). The same technology drive is happening in the connected home. Both ends of the real estate market are looking at PE-related areas such as organic LED lighting and organic photovoltaics for low-cost energy harvesting (see sidebars on page 30). Smarter parts for trans- portation and industrial applications PE is ideal for additive manufactur- ing processes like 3D printing and What is PE? Printable Electronics transfer con- ductive inks onto a substrate at high enough density to form a complete electronic circuit, but thin enough to have negligible impact on the substrate thickness. The substrate can be rigid, flexible or even stretchable, for instance: paper, plastic, fabric or glass. Inks can be made from materials such as graphite, silver or copper. These inks can be applied through traditional printing processes such as flexo, screen, inkjet, gravure, and offset, as well as through coat- ings.This can be done through fast and inexpensive automated pro- cesses, such as those used in the commercial printing industry for newspapers and magazines. These electronic components can also be embedded through additive manu- facturing processes, such as 3D printing or in-mould electronics.A related field involves conductive yarns that can be used to create smart garments. in-mould electronics, to embed functionality inside a part or assembly. This reduces the bulk and expense of external hard wiring to connect electronic sys- tems and assemblies. By the same token, intelligence can be added to a part with low-cost printed electronic tags, labels and serialized sensor matrices. These are digital fingerprints that can be used to identify and authenticate a part. But the practical uses go beyond these passive applications. With PE tags and sensors, parts and assemblies can collect and trans- mit data on their use and usage conditions, heat, humidity, stress and so forth. All this data can be collected and stored in the cloud, for remote monitoring and predictive analytics to carry out preventative maintenance and repair. ByPeter Kallai President & CEO Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association lexible displays and lighting. Smart packaging. Wearable technology. Intelligent build- ings capable of low-cost energy harvesting with organ- ic photovoltaics. These are only a few examples of the applications taking hold today that in some way require or can benefit from printable, flexible and wearable electronics (PE). Building the eco-system of Canada’s printable, flexible and wearable electronics industry