IDTechEx, a provider of independent market research, business intelligence and events on emerging technology, has released the latest report of "Printed and Flexible Electronics for Automotive Applications 2021-2031: Technologies and Markets".

IDTechEx's latest report of "Printed and Flexible Electronics for Automotive Applications 2021-2031: Technologies and Markets".

Multiple technological transitions are occurring in the automotive industry. The report outlines the current status of printed/flexible electronics of automotive design and manufacturing, along with the future opportunities created by the transitions.

Printed/flexible electronics in electric vehicle powertrains

Battery monitoring/heating for electric vehicles:

Providing the maximum range possible for a given weight and price is a key requirement for electric vehicle manufacturers. This requires batteries to always work as efficiently as possible. However, battery capacity is strongly dependent on temperature.

Furthermore, increases in temperature (and pressure) can indicate a malfunction and a possible safety concern. As such, there is an opportunity for printed arrays of temperature sensors to provide local monitoring, and for printed heaters to be integrated within the same functional film.

Thermal interface materials for electric vehicles:

Although printed electronics are not well-suited to power electronics, they do require printed thermal interface materials for thermal management. Thermal greases are still the norm, but alternatives such as carbon nanotubes and phase change materials are likely to gain traction.

Printed/flexible electronics in vehicle interiors

Human machine interface (HMI) technologies:

A major opportunity for printed/flexible electronics is in human machine interfaces (HMIs) for the interior. Already widely used in seat occupancy sensors, printed pressure sensors are likely to find their way into control panels to provide a wider range of inputs than purely capacitive touch sensors without the expense of mechanical switches.

Emerging manufacturing methodologies for integrating electronics:

In-mold electronics (IME) is a major trend in automotive manufacturing. By combining the electronics with the thermoformed plastic, it enables integrated systems such as center consoles and overhead control panels to be much lighter, simpler, and easier to manufacture.

Another emerging manufacturing methodology, albeit a few years further into the future than IME, is printing electronics and dielectric inks directly onto 3D surfaces. This should enable to enable wire harnesses to be replaced, reducing weight and complexity.

Interior displays and lighting:

Manufacturers are increasingly aiming to differentiate their vehicles by adding multiple displays. OLEDs are likely to be increasingly adopted, as the resolution and color gamut meet the expectations consumers transfer from their smartphones.

Distinctive interior lighting also offers differentiation, with LEDs mounted onto flexible substrates an emerging lightweight and conformal approach.

Printed/flexible electronics in vehicle exteriors

Hybrid SWIR image sensors:

ADAS systems and autonomous vehicles will require as much input information as possible to ensure safety. Imaging in the short-wave infra-red (SWIR) spectral region is especially promising.

The incumbent technology for SWIR image sensors is prohibitively expensive. Coating silicon read-out circuits with either organic semiconductors or quantum dots is an encouraging approach.

Integrated antennas:

Vehicles become more connected every year, necessitating multiple antennas to cover multiple frequency bands. These need to be integrated into plastic body panels, opening opportunities for in-mold electronics and printing onto 3D surfaces.

Exterior lighting:

As the level of vehicle autonomy increases, vehicles will need to interact with pedestrians. Low-cost printed/flexible displays are suited to this purpose, as low weight, durability and conformality (including in an accident) are more important than resolution. Possible approaches include printed LEDs, and mounting LEDs on flexible substrates.

Printed/flexible photovoltaics:

While photovoltaics will never be able to power a car continuously over a long journey, they do enable around 30 km of distance to be added each day. At present electric vehicles with solar panels use silicon photovoltaics, but thin film photovoltaics are potential alternatives due to their lightweight and conformality.

IDTechEx, a provider of independent market research, business intelligence and events on emerging technology, has released the latest report of "Printed and Flexible Electronics for Automotive Applications 2021-2031: Technologies and Markets".

IDTechEx's latest report of "Printed and Flexible Electronics for Automotive Applications 2021-2031: Technologies and Markets".

Multiple technological transitions are occurring in the automotive industry. The report outlines the current status of printed/flexible electronics of automotive design and manufacturing, along with the future opportunities created by the transitions.

Printed/flexible electronics in electric vehicle powertrains

Battery monitoring/heating for electric vehicles:

Providing the maximum range possible for a given weight and price is a key requirement for electric vehicle manufacturers. This requires batteries to always work as efficiently as possible. However, battery capacity is strongly dependent on temperature.

Furthermore, increases in temperature (and pressure) can indicate a malfunction and a possible safety concern. As such, there is an opportunity for printed arrays of temperature sensors to provide local monitoring, and for printed heaters to be integrated within the same functional film.

Thermal interface materials for electric vehicles:

Although printed electronics are not well-suited to power electronics, they do require printed thermal interface materials for thermal management. Thermal greases are still the norm, but alternatives such as carbon nanotubes and phase change materials are likely to gain traction.

Printed/flexible electronics in vehicle interiors

Human machine interface (HMI) technologies:

A major opportunity for printed/flexible electronics is in human machine interfaces (HMIs) for the interior. Already widely used in seat occupancy sensors, printed pressure sensors are likely to find their way into control panels to provide a wider range of inputs than purely capacitive touch sensors without the expense of mechanical switches.

Emerging manufacturing methodologies for integrating electronics:

In-mold electronics (IME) is a major trend in automotive manufacturing. By combining the electronics with the thermoformed plastic, it enables integrated systems such as center consoles and overhead control panels to be much lighter, simpler, and easier to manufacture.

Another emerging manufacturing methodology, albeit a few years further into the future than IME, is printing electronics and dielectric inks directly onto 3D surfaces. This should enable to enable wire harnesses to be replaced, reducing weight and complexity.

Interior displays and lighting:

Manufacturers are increasingly aiming to differentiate their vehicles by adding multiple displays. OLEDs are likely to be increasingly adopted, as the resolution and color gamut meet the expectations consumers transfer from their smartphones.

Distinctive interior lighting also offers differentiation, with LEDs mounted onto flexible substrates an emerging lightweight and conformal approach.

Printed/flexible electronics in vehicle exteriors

Hybrid SWIR image sensors:

ADAS systems and autonomous vehicles will require as much input information as possible to ensure safety. Imaging in the short-wave infra-red (SWIR) spectral region is especially promising.

The incumbent technology for SWIR image sensors is prohibitively expensive. Coating silicon read-out circuits with either organic semiconductors or quantum dots is an encouraging approach.

Integrated antennas:

Vehicles become more connected every year, necessitating multiple antennas to cover multiple frequency bands. These need to be integrated into plastic body panels, opening opportunities for in-mold electronics and printing onto 3D surfaces.

Exterior lighting:

As the level of vehicle autonomy increases, vehicles will need to interact with pedestrians. Low-cost printed/flexible displays are suited to this purpose, as low weight, durability and conformality (including in an accident) are more important than resolution. Possible approaches include printed LEDs, and mounting LEDs on flexible substrates.

Printed/flexible photovoltaics:

While photovoltaics will never be able to power a car continuously over a long journey, they do enable around 30 km of distance to be added each day. At present electric vehicles with solar panels use silicon photovoltaics, but thin film photovoltaics are potential alternatives due to their lightweight and conformality.