Unlike traditional electronics, which are made up of circuits manufactured with rigid substrates, this new electronics uses more flexible substrates such as polymers or fiberglass. The Tekniker technology center, a member of the Basque Research and
Technology Alliance (BRTA), with extensive experience in developing this technology, will showcase the capabilities and potential of printed electronics applications at the upcoming BIEMH 2026.
The center's multidisciplinary approach, which combines expertise in functional materials, electronic product design and development, and manufacturing processes (printing, thermoforming, injection molding, micro- and nano-manufacturing, and surface functionalization), allows it to tackle projects with a high degree of customization and a clear adaptation to the specific requirements of each sector.

Integrated Sensors in Wind Turbines:
One of the initiatives to which Tekniker is contributing its expertise in printed electronics is the EOLIAN project, funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe program. Within this project, Tekniker will exhibit at BIEMH a section of a wind turbine blade made from repairable and recyclable bio-based composite materials, reinforced with natural basalt fibers. This blade integrates sensors and actuators printed within the material's reinforcing fabric to enable structural integrity monitoring.

“The integrated sensors detect ice buildup, and the signal is processed by a control device that activates a heating system printed within the material to initiate de-icing,” explains Patricia López, a researcher at Tekniker.
The result is an advanced composite with integrated electronics that facilitates the maintenance of wind turbine blades during periods of ice formation. The technology employed can have other applications, such as
real-time monitoring of aircraft wings and critical surfaces to improve safety and predictive maintenance; the inspection of bridges, towers, or high-voltage structures; or the monitoring of vibrations, stress, or temperature in electric vehicle bodies.
Alongside this innovation, the technology center will also present an interactive plastic component at the trade fair, showcasing Tekniker's capabilities in in-mould electronics and forming and overmolding processes—an example of how to integrate circuits and sensors within plastic parts for consumer products. Visitors will also be able to see the complete design and manufacturing process for printed electronics.