The sensors, which are ideal for monitoring the condition of parts and objects in the health and engineering sectors, “show the versatility and potential of a sustainable material like graphene and printed electronics for the precise monitoring of the structure parameters of the parts in real time, since they adapt better to the part and can detect changes in electrical resistance and pressure or vibration,” highlights Cristina Martínez, a researcher at the Functional Printing and Integrated Devices Unit.
At LOPEC, considered the leading trade fair for electronics in the industry, Eurecat is also presenting a Lab-on-a-Chip platform for real-time water quality monitoring. This miniaturized device consists of a monolithic multi-sensor platform. This solution, with printed sensors manufactured using printed electronics technology, simultaneously measures several key parameters, such as pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen, among others, with high sensitivity, long-term stability, and the ability to detect low concentrations.
“The initial results demonstrate the transformative potential of this innovation to make water analysis more accessible, efficient, and sustainable,”highlights Ramon Herrera, a researcher at Eurecat’s Functional Printing and Integrated Devices Unit.
Furthermore, the German company PRÖLL is presenting a demonstrator for the automotive sector that incorporates the latest advances in plastronics technology developed by Eurecat. This demonstrator is a single monolithic piece that integrates electronics and plastic materials, incorporating intelligent lighting, capacitive sensors, a display, a haptic system, and all the necessary microelectronics. Plastronics is an emerging technology that imbues structural plastic parts with intelligence and, due to its capabilities, can be transformative for a wide variety of sectors. One of the areas where this technology is already becoming established is the automotive industry, where it is applied to parts that enhance user interaction while maintaining the design and comfort of the vehicle's interior.
Pioneering graphene-based solutions to address environmental challenges.
In the field of sensors, Eurecat is participating in the GIANCE project, which establishes a holistic, integrated, and industry-driven platform focused on improving sustainable materials and their real-world applications. Within this framework, GIANCE designs, develops, and scales the next generation of multifunctional composites, coatings, foams, and membranes based on graphene and graphene-derived materials (GRM). These advanced materials are designed to enhance performance characteristics, such as thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties, offering functionalities like wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical and fire resistance, hardness, impact resistance, high-temperature resistance, structural integrity control, and low-friction surfaces.
Innovation in chips to alleviate musculoskeletal diseases:
Eurecat is also part of the SmILE consortium, which develops smart solutions to reduce the impact of non-communicable musculoskeletal diseases (MSK-NCDs) in older adults through prevention and early intervention, promoting their autonomy and social inclusion and easing the burden on healthcare systems. The project creates a universal chip platform that can be integrated into a wide range of medical devices, transforming them into active data generators and enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses, while simultaneously supporting the deployment of innovative treatments.
