Inkjet-printed sensors: A useful approach for low cost, rapid prototyping [instrumentation notes]

Over the past ten years, the development of low cost graphic technology-based sensors has been proceeding rapidly. The use of innovative materials and substrates has also picked up momentum. The interest in such sensors is justified by the need for both low cost, rapid prototyping techniques for research laboratories and mass-production processes for the realization of very low cost devices. Examples of addressed devices are RFID tags, antennas, keyboards, displays and especially sensors. The rapid prototyping of inexpensive devices and sensors by printing technologies is of great importance for the everyday activities of the scientific community including research laboratories and academia. The availability of novel technologies for the development of low cost sensors would move market interest towards new applications, previously not very attractive because of the costs of traditional silicon electronics [1]. Printed sensors could be the “right answer” to such needs. Screen printing and inkjet printing have received more attention for the realization of printed sensors than other printing techniques. In this paper, we provide brief explanations of these technologies.