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PowerCoat Alive is a creative paper with integrated NVC technology for graphic printing, available as sheets and stickers.
SPOTLIGHT
FID/NFC: HOW DOES IT WORK?
An offshoot of RFID technology, Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless communications system. The NFC tag is made up of a chip and an antenna. It is a passive target that functions without wires or electricity.
When placed near an active reader—one with an energy supply (e.g. phone, card reader)— the antenna picks up its radio signal and uses its energy to allow the chip to function.
In this way, information is exchanged in less than a second. For example, it can be used
in a pass to access a building or in a public transport terminal, when pairing two electronic devices (such as a smartphone and a wireless speaker), or in a contactless payment card.
So you are straddling traditional electronics and printed electronics?
G. D. – Absolutely. We are at the stage of hybrid electronics. Our pressure sensors use organic electroactive polymers and our NFC tags are made using metallic inks and silicon chips, which are traditional electronics components.
What is innovative about these systems?
G. D. – They are printed on high-performance paper from PowerCoat©, the brand dedicated to electronic printing by Arjowiggins. It’s super smooth, but also very “sealed” so it doesn’t absorb the conductive inks, which must remain on the surface and withstand the very high temperatures required for their application and functioning. Printed electronics represents major progress – most RFID/NFC antennas are made from chemically engraved aluminum incorporated into plastic.
So this procedure is more environmentally friendly?
G. D. – That’s right. We are working actively on the recycling of our systems, drawing inspiration from technologies in our area of expertise, paper. Added to that are two other aspects—the production of electronics on paper consumes less energy than all-silicon electronics, and our systems are produced in Europe, whereas traditional NFC tags are mainly produced in China. These are significant factors for Arjowiggins, which sees this technology as a means of reducing the carbon footprint of its products.
Is this having an impact on interest
in your products among manufacturers?
G. D. – Undoubtedly. The efficiency of the technology and its environmentally respectful quality make our systems a promising source of growth for the Arjowiggins group. What’s more, it is economically viable, as the production costs of hybrid organic and printed electronics are much lower than those for all-silicon electronics. >>>
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