From the laboratory to pilot scale: POEMS training in printed and flexible electronics

Between 26 and 28 October, CeNTI – Centre for Nanotechnology and Technical, Functional and Smart Materials – hosted the training course ‘Pilot-Scale Printing Techniques for Flexible Electronics’, as part of the POEMS project.

Printed and flexible electronics represent an emerging technological field, with the potential to broaden the scope for the application and integration of functional materials in the semiconductor sector. In this context, the training course sought to promote the development of skills in printing techniques and processes, contributing to technological capacity-building and the strengthening of national expertise in this field, in line with the objectives of POEMS.

Over the course of three days, participants had the opportunity to explore different stages of the development and manufacture of flexible electronic devices, ranging from the formulation of functional inks and printing techniques at laboratory scale to manufacturing processes at pilot scale.

The training combined theoretical sessions with practical activities, enabling participants to gain direct hands-on experience with printing equipment and processes, including a roll-to-roll pilot printing line. Characterisation, validation and testing methodologies were also covered, which are fundamental to assessing the performance and applicability of the devices developed.

This initiative sought to familiarise participants with the challenges associated with the transition from laboratory processes to the pilot-scale manufacture of flexible electronic devices, promoting the sharing of knowledge and the development of skills in an area with growing potential for application across various industrial sectors.

CeNTI