Structural Electronics
Structural electronics, often referred to as printed electronics, is an emerging field of technology that integrates electronics into structural parts, materials and other products. Structural electronics encompasses a variety of technologies and materials that are used to produce printed devices and systems. In essence, structural electronics offers the ability to embed housing functions, circuit boards, and other electronic components into a variety of substrates and materials, as well as to integrate electronic capabilities into any shape or form desired.
Structural electronics technology has the potential to revolutionize a variety of markets and industries, including automotive, medical, industrial, and consumer. This technology has the potential to be used for the development of medical implants, prosthetics and robotics, as well as for waterproof enclosures for consumer electronics and for automotive interior accessories, such as cup holders and headrests.
Structural electronics combines different fabrication methods and materials, including additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing uses a range of technologies that allow three-dimensional printing of parts and components. These technologies use laser sintering, melting and welding to create parts, as well as other methods to form complex shapes. Through the use of various types of printers, such as 3D printers, inkjet printers and screen printing, this technology enables the production of very small, detailed and complex 3D structures. This can be used to integrate electronics and circuits into a variety of products and components.
Structural electronics provides the ability to embed electronics and components into structural parts in a way that is not only fully functional, but also enhances design and product performance. This technology offers significant cost and space savings, as well as eliminates the need for complex mechanical structures and equipment. Furthermore, structural electronics enables the production of lightweight and flexible electronics, which can be used to create products which are highly mobile or closely integrated into body-worn devices or systems.
Structural electronics has already been used in a range of different applications, from aircrafts and cars, to flexible displays and medical implants. Furthermore, this technology is being further developed and has the potential to be used for a much wider range of applications, including the production of complex and advanced products such as autonomous vehicles and advanced medical implants.
Structural electronics is an exciting and rapidly developing field, and is enabling a revolution in product design. It has the potential to create significant improvements in cost, performance, and flexibility, transforming the way products are designed and manufactured. As the technology continues to develop, it is likely to have a significant impact on many different industries, and will be an important factor in the development of a wide range of new products.
