PVG College Pune Conducts Hybrid Seminar on ‘The Future of Flexible Electronics’

17 April 2024: A one-day workshop on Fabrication of Electronic Circuits – “The Future of Flexible Electronics” was organized by PVG College Pune’s COET & GKPWIOM Departments of Printing Technology and Electronics and Telecommunication in hybrid mode on April 1st, 2024. Session began with an address by the workshop coordinator, Dr. Varsha A. Chaware, from Department of Printing Technology. She expressed objective of highlighting significance of flexible electronics and its applications. Dr. Chaware also emphasised the role of printing in the fabrication of flexible electronics.

Prof. Mahdura Mahajan, Head of Department of Printing Technology, stressed the importance of organising workshops like these for students and urged them to explore subjects that utilise different printing techniques for the fabrication of flexible electronics. Prof. R.G. Kaduskar, Director of PVG’s COET & GKPWIOM, shared his thoughts on the transition of traditional electronics applications to wearable electronics in the past and the current status of flexible electronics.

There were 7 sessions, including hands-on activities. Workshop was attended by faculty, students and industry professionals from the electronics and printing background. Prof. Priya Deshpande from Electronics and Telecommunication Department introduced all the speakers. Technical talk sessions began with an online presentation by Prof. Siddhartha Panda, Coordinator of National Centre for Flexible Electronics (NCFlexE Centre) at IIT Kanpur, on the topic “Flexible Electronics – The Future of Devices.” He explained various applications of flexible electronics such as flexible displays, lighting and TVs. He also shared information about NCFlexE at IITK and R&D work carried out in centre in the printed electronics domain.

In offline technical talk, Sanjay Mehta, CEO, Protolab Electrotechnologies (P) Ltd. discussed “Innovation Design Engineering Applications Sustainability (IDEAS) in Flexible Electronics.” He focussed more on design and innovation, showcasing various applications like printed heaters, membrane switches and printed sensors developed by Protolab.

Dr. Loganathan Veeramuthu, Research Assistant Professor at National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan, delivered an online talk on “New Developments in Dimensionality-Driven Flexible Printed Electronics.” He discussed creating products inspired by nature and elaborated on organic, inorganic and perovskite materials used in fabricating flexible sensors.

In the offline technical talk, Devendra Kumar Maurya, Principal REO & Team Leader (Sensors Group) at National Centre for Flexible Electronics (NCFlexE Centre), IIT Kanpur, presented a case study on “Flexible Printed Gas Sensors.”

Kunal Gandhi, Joint Managing Director at Kunal Enterprise, Mumbai, shared his thoughts on “Printed Electronics – Market Overview and Applications” in an online technical talk.

During online product showcasing, LinePro Controls (P) Ltd. presented their developed products such as key membrane switches, printed sensors and printed heaters.

Hrishikesh Kanhere and Pooja Chatterjee demonstrated their company products from Henkel Adhesives Technologies in printed electronics domain. In the hands-on activity, participants experienced screen printing of conductive ink. Prof. Sumedh Kapre and Dr. Varsha A. Chaware explainedsignificant process parameters of screen printing that affect print quality and their impact on electronic properties. Session concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Swati Nahar from Department of Printing Technology.

Key takeaways from the Protolab Electrotechnologies presentation …
The workshop on Future of Printed Electronics was Gold sponsored by Navi Mumbai-based Protolab Electrotechnologies Pvt Ltd. Sanjay Mehta presented the evolution and the future of printed electronics with physical samples to demonstrate and help the students to explore the journey through subtractive to additive technologies and hybrid processes. “The importance of print process and the adaptation and enhancement of best print practices are paramount to the product. The responsibility of the ET&C / embedded engineer and the cross functional teams are equally participative in the success. If you have the I D E A S (I – Innovation, D – Design, E – Engineering, A – Application, S – Sustenance), connect with us at contact@protolab.in” he said.

www.pvgcoet.ac.in