| By Ana Viñuales | CIDETEC Surface Engineering |
| In the current scenario of technological-digital transition, there is a growing demand for connected and interactive systems based on functionalized and/or sensorized surfaces. In this context, plastronics, also known as “in-mold electronics” (IME) is a new technology for manufacturing printed electronic devices incorporated in plastic materials, with high added value functions or features, increasingly demanded by sectors such as the automotive, white goods, health, packaging, etc. For example, it allows making switches without mechanical elements and having smooth surfaces integrating touch elements, sensors, lighting, antennas, etc. and improve human-machine interaction (HMI). The advantages that IME technology introduces compared to conventional silicon-based electronics are numerous, including: the elimination of mechanical switches, reducing both the number of parts and the complexity of the products; the reduction of the parts thickness (up to 80%) lightening the weight by up to 70% and allowing more functions to be offered in less space; the possibility of using organic materials, reducing the environmental impact, etc. The IME process consists of 4 main stages: – Printing functional inks on a plastic sheet to generate the circuits, sensor elements, etc. – Hybridization of rigid components (such as LEDs). – Thermoforming of the flat sheet to give it the desired shape. – Over-injection of the sheet with a plastic material, thus obtaining the final piece. CIDETEC Surface Engineering, as an international reference centre for research and innovation related to surface engineering and polymeric materials, has more than 15 years of experience in 2D printed electronics. In the current scenario, CIDETEC is going one step further and is investing in IME technology, equipping itself with strategic equipment and acquiring in-depth knowledge of all stages of the process, with a special focus on the high-pressure thermoforming phase, a much more recent and advanced technique that offers extremely high precision and operates at lower temperatures than other conventional thermoforming techniques, allowing the use of a greater variety of materials. To this end, CIDETEC has recently acquired a high-pressure thermoforming unit from NIEBLING (model SAMK 720), the leading brand in this technology worldwide. CIDETEC thus becomes the 5th R&D centre in Europe to have this unique equipment, which will contribute to the positioning of the centre and the Basque Country, placing them at the forefront in the field of printed electronics/IME. The objective is to develop R&D projects that allow us to acquire in-depth knowledge of how the process affects different materials (plastic sheets and printed conductive inks) and to manufacture prototypes with embedded electronics for future technology transfer to companies that require this type of products, mainly in the automotive sector. |
Egoitz Luis Monasterio, Business Development Manager for Automotive at CIDETEC Surface Engineering, discusses the center’s capabilities in In-Mold Electronics, covering the entire value chain to meet the demands of a rapidly growing market driven by electric and connected vehicles, while also expanding into new sectors. The recently acquired NIEBLING SAMK 720 high-pressure thermoforming equipment at CIDETEC Surface Engineering is the only one of its kind in the country.
Experts discuss the future of epoxy resins and their role in creating recyclable materials within the CUBIC project.
CIDETEC Surface Engineering was the venue for the second training session of the academic program under the CUBIC project, organized in collaboration with Specific Polymers on October 9th. The event gathered 21 participants interested in exploring the journey of epoxy resins, from their discovery to their use in vitrimer technology, to develop more sustainable composite materials.
The training addressed the challenge of replacing petroleum-derived monomers with bio-based alternatives and the potential of adaptable covalent networks, which enable the creation of self-healing, moldable, and recyclable materials. Additionally, the use of 3R epoxy resins patented by CIDETEC Surface Engineering in the production of circular materials was highlighted, with a particular focus on their chemical, mechanical, and thermoforming recycling processes.
This session provided researchers with a valuable opportunity to acquire and share knowledge on the new generation of sustainable resins and composite materials.
- From October 14th to 25th, the 30th European Week of Advanced Management will take place.
- More than 100 Basque organizations will join the European Week of Advanced Management, coordinated by EUSKALIT.
- The central event will be a Congress held at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao on October 16th and 17th.
This year’s 30th edition of the European Week of Advanced Management will feature over 40 events throughout the Basque Country. These meetings are coordinated by EUSKALIT (Foundation for the Promotion of Advanced Management) and supported by 60 organizing entities, collaborating in this edition to address topics related to Advanced Management in various sectors such as business, institutional, industrial, or educational, among others.
Additionally, another 50 organizations will collaborate in the promotion of the European Week as a demonstration of their commitment to Advanced Management. These include the Astezaleak, a new feature in this edition, which CIDETEC joins as a pioneer. In total, more than 100 organizations have joined the movement of this Week.
An Event with Many Perspectives
During the Week, a Congress will be held on October 16th and 17th at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao, reinforced with live streaming. It will feature two major thematic blocks: Sustainable Competitiveness and Management and Care and Loyalty of People.
Outside this format, there will be 30 other events spread across the three territories: Araba, Gipuzkoa, and Bizkaia. These events will delve into various areas of management such as Strategy, AI management, and mental health care, through both in-person and virtual formats.
Among the 60 Basque entities participating in the organization of this year’s activities and conferences are organizations such as Bilbao Ekintza, Emun, Gorabide, and the provincial councils of Álava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa.
Also, among the activities organized during this Week is the 8th edition of the short video competition “Gestión en corto” (Short Management), organized by EUSKALIT in collaboration with Mondragon University, aimed at bringing management closer through audiovisual language, ranging from documentary to fiction or corporate video production.
The full schedule of events is now available, and you can view it at this link.
The project seeks to extend the longevity of batteries by 33%.
CIDETEC Energy Storage contributes its expertise in the battery sector to the InnoBMS project, which aims to develop a cutting-edge battery management software and hardware (BMS) solution to enhance the performance and longevity of batteries in electric vehicles.
InnoBMS seeks to transform battery capacity through an innovative BMS that will enhance the volumetric density of the battery-pack by 12% and prolong its lifespan by 33% to 15 years. In other words, batteries capable of providing more energy output with reduced deterioration. In addition, this approach will yield substantial cost reductions of 12% for passenger cars and 9.7% for light-duty vehicles.
Within the multidisciplinary consortium that integrates InnoBMS, CIDETEC Energy Storage contributes its experience in characterisation and modelling of battery-packs. Employing its expertise, it will concentrate on the deployment of battery thermal management control (BTMS) in the cloud, the formulation of algorithms for the early identification of thermal risk events (TRA), and the detection of lithium electrodeposition, which are critical factors for ensuring the safety and efficiency of batteries.
Similarly, CIDETEC Energy Storage will conduct TRA tests on cells within its modern laboratory facilities, which is crucial for validating the proposed algorithms and ensuring the system’s safety against temperature increases.
The project, initiated in January 2024 and spanning 42 months, is headed by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, with a total budget of €5,672,894.38, of which €4,013,441.88 is funded by the European Union via the HORIZON EUROPE initiative. The consortium includes vehicle manufacturers, leading suppliers, engineering companies, universities, and small and medium-sized enterprises, all working together to bring this innovative technology to market.
This project responds to a joint call between the European battery partnerships and Towards Zero Emission Road Transport, Batt4EU and 2ZERO respectively.
