PPG and Powercast have partnered to combine technologies to create smart consumer packaging that will light up to showcase products on a shelf.
Image: The backside of a Straub beer label shows the electronic circuitry printed onto PPG TESLIN substrate. Photo: courtesy of Powercast.
Under a joint development agreement, PPG and Powercast will produce ultra-thin and wirelessly powered printed electronics products.
The advanced solutions combine PPG TESLIN substrate, PPG conductive inks and Powercast’s POWERHARVESTER receiver technology for delivering over-the-air wireless power.
Powercast and PPG will work together to bring out LED-based wireless illumination solutions for smart consumer packaging that will illuminate wirelessly to showcase products on a shelf.
Smart ID cards will facilitate better security and also light up to allow or disallow access to the classified areas or to validate user identification.
PPG global market manager, electronic and conductive materials, John Yundt said: “The technology sharing between PPG and Powercast is an excellent example of the type of collaboration that continues to strengthen PPG,”
Yundt added: “We see this partnership as an ideal way to use the unique synergies of our broad portfolio of coatings and materials technologies to help our customers find solutions.”
Combining the technologies from both companies enables developers to incorporate electronics into packaging and ID cards via lamination to provide indistinct illumination without cables, power sources, charging ports.
Powercast chief operating and technology officer, Charles Greene said: “Powercast is excited to partner with PPG to deliver differentiation to the product packaging and secure credential markets.”
Greene added: “PPG Teslin substrate and the company’s conductive inks have great radio frequency characteristics, which complement Powercast’s long-range wireless power technology.”
To create illuminated products, graphics or information is printed on one side of PPG Teslin substrate and electronic circuitry is printed on the opposite side of the substrate using PPG’s conductive inks.
The ultra-thin Powerharvester, the wireless power receiver chip and other parts are attached to the substrate and the tag is laminated to fix the electronic circuitry inside it.
Powercast’s implanted Powerharvester receiver chips harness RF energy wirelessly from a Powercast POWERSPOT transmitter or other RF source. The harnessed RF is turned into useable direct current energy to power embedded electronics and LEDs.
PPG Teslin substrate is a microporous synthetic paper that is durable, flexible and water-resistant. It has the exclusive capacity to pad printed electronic circuitry while surviving the usage and mistreatment.
PPG Teslin substrate offers the best surface material for increasing the performance and life of smart packaging products.