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Printed and Flexible Sensors 2014-2024: Technologies, Players, Forecasts

Established & emerging markets - the complete picture: biosensors, temperature sensors, gas sensors, capacitive sensors, piezoresistive sensors, piezoelectric sensors, photodetectors

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Printed and flexible sensors are playing an increasingly important role in printed electronics. While the biggest market is currently glucose sensors used by diabetics. Other types of printed sensors are emerging. IDTechEx forecasts the market for printed sensors will have increased by more than $1 billion by 2020.
 
Sensors in general have a much simpler structure than displays or logic circuits. The technology barrier against commercialisation is therefore less steep compared to many other printed electronics applications. In fact, some types of sensors have always been printed. And there are many types of sensors, therefore many addressable markets.
 
This report covers the following categories of printed and flexible sensors:
  • Biosensors
  • Capacitive sensors (not including touchscreens)
  • Piezoresistive & piezoelectric (pressure, force, or strain) sensors
  • Photoelectric (photodetectors, hybrid CMOS image sensors and digital X-ray sensors)
  • Temperature sensors
  • Gas sensors
Opportunities in established and emerging markets
Printed and flexible sensors already represented a value of $6.3 billion in 2013. The biggest market is currently biosensors, where disposable glucose test strips are used to improve the lives of diabetics. However, other types of printed sensors are emerging, taking advantage of the latest materials. By 2024, these emerging applications will take a significant share of the total printed sensor market:
 
Relative market size for printed and flexible sensors in 2024
 
 
Source: IDTechEx
 
IDTechEx expects new hybrid CMOS image sensors to quickly become the second largest market, with organic or quantum dot semiconductors replacing silicon as the photosensitive material in several applications.
 
Piezoresistive sensing is already an established market. Growth in piezoresistive sensors will however get additional momentum, explained by a combination of favourable trends. While the two biggest market segments are currently in Consumer Electronics and Healthcare, the next five years will see Automotive take a larger share, ultimately outgrowing Healthcare. In this scenario, IDTechEx expects the piezoresistive sensor market to triple by 2018, corresponding to a 23% CAGR.
 
Other types of printed and flexible sensors such as photodetectors, temperature sensors or gas sensors are only emerging but they promise better performances, new form factors and ease of customisation. Now is the right time to enter the market and some companies are already positioned to reap the benefits.
The complete picture
Save months of research by quickly learning who the key players are in printed and flexible sensors by using the latest information. Get the complete picture on the various technologies, their applications and the market sizes.
 
The report includes technology reviews and market forecasts until 2024 for the following printed sensors:
• Biosensors
• Capacitive sensors (not including touchscreens)
• Piezoresistive sensors
• Piezoelectric sensors
• Photodetector
• Hybrid CMOS sensors
• Digital X-ray sensors
• Temperature sensors
• Gas sensors
 
Sensors that are processed at high temperature (ceramic pressure sensors, as well as some types of piezoelectric, temperature and gas sensors) are described in the report but not included in the forecast figures since they cannot be considered part of printed electronics.
 
Included in the report, a listing of 70 companies sorted by category helps you identify potential partners and suppliers.
 
The report also includes 20 detailed company profiles based on direct interviews by IDTechEx's analysts.
Analyst access from IDTechEx
All report purchases include up to 30 minutes telephone time with an expert analyst who will help you link key findings in the report to the business issues you're addressing. This needs to be used within three months of purchasing the report.
Further information
If you have any questions about this report, please do not hesitate to contact our report team at research@IDTechEx.com or call one of our sales managers:

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1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1.Market for printed sensors 2013-2024 (in $ million)
1.2.Relative market size, as percentage of the total printed and flexible sensors market
1.3.Market forecast excluding biosensors and hybrid CMOS sensors 2013-2024
1.4.Piezoresistive sensors 2013 and 2018
2.BIOSENSING WITH SCREEN PRINTED ELECTRODES
2.1.A versatile platform for chemical and bio sensing
2.1.Example of a reader measuring the glucose level from a test strip.
2.1.Range of ink for printed biosensors from DuPont
2.2.Some of the most pressing technical challenges for printed glucose test strips
2.2.Glucose meter for iPhone. The iBGStar was developed by AgaMatrix and commercialised exclusively by Sanofi in 2012.
2.2.Glucose test strips
2.2.1.Screen printing vs. sputtering
2.2.2.Technical challenges
2.2.3.Competing technologies
2.2.4.A multi-billion dollar market
2.3.Emerging applications
2.3.No generic design: test strips vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
2.3.1.Drug screening
2.3.2.Breath sensing
2.3.3.Enhancements with nanomaterials
2.4.Advantages of printing vs. sputtering on a scale of 1 to 5 (higher is better).
2.5.Evolution of sample volume needed
2.6.Glucose sensing contact lens
2.7.Two scenarios for the biosensors market ($ million)
2.8.DRUGSENSOR for drug screening
2.9.Comparison between unmodified and CNT coated SPE.
2.10.The Omega 3 system, consisting of a reader and a microfluidic cartridge.
2.11.Nanostructured copper
3.PRINTED CAPACITIVE SENSORS
3.1.Same structure, different materials available
3.1.The T-Ink overhead console
3.1.Companies that are pursuing applications others than touchscreens
3.2.Side by side comparison between the standard equipment and the new one
3.2.Key players
3.3.Printed capacitive switches
3.3.Decorative and conductive inks are printed onto formable films
3.3.1.The Ford Fusion: what happened
3.3.2.Integration with Injection Moulding
3.3.3.3D shaped sensors based on PEDOT
3.4.Capacitive pressure sensing
3.4.An example of integration by PolyIC
3.5.Demonstrator from Heraeus
3.5.Fluid level sensor
3.6.Demonstrator from Agfa
3.7.An array for pressure mapping
3.8.Storeskin is a concept by Plastic Electronic GmbH
3.9.Fluid level sensor
4.PIEZORESISTIVE AND PIEZOELECTRIC SENSORS (FORCE, PRESSURE, AND STRAIN)
4.1.Ceramic pressure sensors
4.1.Comparison between thin film, thick film piezoresistive and silicon piezoresistive pressure sensors
4.1.Comparison of piezoresistive force sensors versus capacitive touch sensors
4.1.1.Ceramic vs. other common types of pressure sensors
4.1.2.Construction of a ceramic pressure sensor
4.2.Printed piezoresistive force sensors
4.2.Construction of a thick film pressure sensor.
4.2.The key players in printed piezoresistive force sensors
4.2.1.Sensor construction
4.2.2.Applications and markets
4.2.3.Key players and technology trends
4.3.Printed piezoelectric sensors
4.3.Printed piezoresistive force sensor construction
4.3.Main specifications of PiezoPaint (preliminary data)
4.3.1.Printed PZT (ceramic)
4.3.2.Printed PVDF-TrFE (polymer)
4.3.3.Solvene
4.3.4.Printed amino acids
4.4.Force sensor construction variant
4.5.Artist view and actual microscope image of the QTC material.
4.6.Common applications of printed piezoresistive sensors
4.7.Peratech's QTC material inside a 5-way input device (Navikeys) from Samsung Electromechanics (2010).
4.8.Possible locations of various force sensors in a car
4.9.Strain and bend sensor
4.10.Tactonic Technologies extra-large touchpad
4.11.Tactonic's customizable sensor design
4.12.Ulthera skin imaging device in use.
4.13.Evolution in screen printing of piezoelectric materials
4.14.Magnified photograph of the PZT sample
4.15."Coffee stain effect" in ink jet printing
4.16.Synthesis of technologies to achieve accurate printing
4.17.Piezoelectric response of screen printed PVDF-TrFE on PEN substrate
4.18.Schematic showing the printed polymer sensor connected to an organic transistor.
4.19.PyzoFlex, a pressure-sensing input device.
4.20.PyzoFlex sensor array overlaid on a LCD screen.
4.21.Solvene can be printed or spin coated
4.22.Average transmittance (visible range between 400 nm and 700 nm), measured on 25-m thick film
4.23.Schematic of the amino acid film on a flat substrate
4.24.Fabrication of the prototype sensor array
4.25.Pressure sensing floor mat (80cm x 80cm)
4.26.Change of capacitance with an applied load from 20 to 10,000 N.
5.PRINTED PHOTODETECTORS
5.1.A new generation of photoelectric materials
5.1.Main drivers to replace silicon in two applications: CMOS image sensors and X-ray sensors
5.1.Which companies are commercialising new printable photoelectric materials?
5.1.1.Reasons to replace silicon
5.1.2.Key players
5.2.Applications to new form factors
5.2.Organic photodiode characteristics (for near infra-red)
5.2.1.Making customised optical sensing systems
5.2.2.Recent news: New production line for printed sensors
5.2.3.Recent news: Scientists build photodetectors on textile
5.3.Applications to hybrid CMOS image sensors
5.3.Organic photodiode characteristics (for visible light).
5.3.1.Organic semiconductors
5.3.2.Quantum dots
5.4.Applications to X-ray sensors
5.4.Plastic foil of organic photodetectors
5.4.1.The role of photodiodes in X-ray sensors
5.4.2.Progress towards robust and flexible X-ray sensors
5.4.3.Recent news: Collaboration between ISORG and Plastic Logic demonstrates a flexible image sensor
5.4.4.Recent news: Imec and Holst Centre in collaboration with Philips Research develop organic photodetector arrays suitable for X-ray imaging
5.5.OPD for object detection by smart systems: logistics, retail, Point-Of-Sales display
5.6.8x8 arrays of organic photodetectors on a board
5.7.ISORG technology roadmap
5.8.Scanning electron micrograph image of the tin dioxide cloth
5.9.Organic CMOS image sensor and conventional image sensor
5.10.Image comparison
5.11.Image sensor pixel (top view)
5.12.CMOS VGA organic image sensor with 15µm-pixels:
5.13.Absorbing blue vs. red light in silicon vs. QuantumFilm
5.14.Principles of an indirect conversion digital radiography system
5.15.Main drivers to replace silicon in two applications: CMOS image sensors and X-ray sensors
5.16.Organic image sensors sensitive to X-rays, visible, and near infrared spectrum ranges.
5.17.Potential radiography applications for flexible display technology
5.18.4.9 inch X-ray sensor at SID2012
5.19.ISORG and Plastic Logic demonstrate a flexible image sensor
5.20.Fully-organic, flexible imager developed by imec, Holst Centre and Philips Research.
6.PRINTED TEMPERATURE SENSORS
6.1.Key players
6.1.Typical response from a RTD (Pt100) and a thermistor
6.2.Pseudo linear response curve from platinum RTD (Pt-100)
6.2.Printed thermistors compatible with plastic substrates
6.2.1.PST Sensors: Silicon nanoparticles ink
6.2.2.Research at PARC (Xerox)
6.2.3.Organic heat sensor
6.3.Is Smart Packaging the main market for printed thermistors?
6.3.Silicon nanoparticles ink
6.3.1.Electronic tags as a replacement for time-temperature indicators
6.3.2.First proof-of-concept prototype of an integrated printed electronic tag
6.3.3.Exploring new applications
6.4.Novel concept: Wireless organic temperature sensor made with carbon nanotubes
6.4.Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor
6.5.Printed thermistor from PST sensor demonstrated at Printed Electronics Europe 2013
6.6.Colour evolution of HEATmarker time-temperature indicators
6.7.Demonstrator with various components from ThinFilm, PARC, Acreo and PST Sensors
6.8.The concept of printed smart labels
6.9.Temperature sensor writing into memory
6.10.A printed heat sensor
6.11.All-organic temperature sensor
6.12.All-organic temperature sensor evaluation
7.PRINTED GAS SENSORS
7.1.Different types of gas sensors, not all can be printed
7.1.Metal-oxide gas sensor
7.1.Key players in printed gas sensors - companies and associated technologies
7.1.1.Pellistors
7.1.2.Infrared
7.1.3.Electrochemical
7.1.4.Chemiresistors
7.1.5.Electronic nose (e-nose)
7.2.Key players in printed gas sensors
7.2.An electronic nose is a recognition system, not a sensor technology
7.3.KWJ Engineering technology roadmap
7.3.All-printed gas sensors with solid electrolytes
7.3.1.The SPEC sensor: a thin electrochemical sensor made with a nano-catalyst
7.3.2.Solidsense
7.4.Latest innovations
7.4.Characteristics of the CO sensor
7.4.1.Aerosol jet printing
7.4.2.Inkjet Printing
7.4.3.Startup company developing new electronic nose device
7.4.4.New research on acetone breath analysis
7.5.Sensor response to different levels of carbon monoxide
7.6.Photograph of a wafer containing 48 sensors.
7.7.Varying power consumption of the metal oxide gas sensors
8.MARKET FORECAST
8.1.Scope and overview
8.1.Market forecast for printed sensors to 2024 (in $ million)
8.1.Ten year forecasts for printed sensors
8.2.Emerging printed sensor markets (excluding hybrid CMOS)
8.2.Market forecast for printed sensors 2013-2024, excluding biosensors and hybrid CMOS sensors
8.2.Biosensors
8.3.Piezoresistive sensors
8.3.Relative market size in 2013 excluding glucose sensors
8.3.Forecast to 2018 for emerging technologies, excluding hybrid CMOS image sensors ($ million)
8.4.Relative market size in 2018 excluding glucose sensors
8.4.Capacitive sensors
8.5.Hybrid CMOS image sensors
8.5.Relative market size, as percentage of the total printed and flexible sensors market in 2024
8.6.Market for printed biosensors ($ million)
8.6.Other emerging printed sensor technologies
8.7.Market for piezoresistive force sensors ($ million)
8.8.Piezoresistive sensors sectors in 2013 and 2018
8.9.Market for capacitive sensors ($ million)
8.10.Market for hybrid CMOS image sensors ($ million)
8.11.Emerging technologies excluding hybrid CMOS image sensors ($ million)
9.COMPANIES
9.1.An index categorising 70 companies by sensor type and geography
9.1.Listing of 70 companies involved in printed sensors
9.2.Detailed company profiles
9.2.1.Arizona State University (ASU), USA
9.2.2.DropSens, Spain
9.2.3.GSI Technologies, USA
9.2.4.Interlink Electronics, USA
9.2.5.ISORG, France
9.2.6.KWJ Engineering, USA
9.2.7.Meggitt A/S, Denmark
9.2.8.NikkoIA SAS, France
9.2.9.Peratech, UK
9.2.10.Piezotech (Arkema group), France
9.2.11.Plastic Electronic GmbH, Austria
9.2.12.PolyIC, Germany
9.2.13.PST Sensors, South Africa
9.2.14.Synkera Technologies, USA
9.2.15.Tactonic Technologies, USA
9.2.16.Tekscan, USA
9.2.17.Temptime, USA
9.2.18.Thin Film Electronics, Norway
9.2.19.T-Ink, USA
9.2.20.Vista Medical, Canada
TABLES
FIGURES
 

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The market for printed sensors will increase by more than $1 billion by 2020

Report Statistics

Pages 193
Tables 12
Figures 100
Forecasts to 2024
 

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