3D-Printed microfibers add ECG sensing to everyday objects
30.10.2025
Pencils that monitor heart rate, pliers that detect muscle fatigue, or robotic hands that sense touch – all made possible by a new 3D-printing technique for ultra-thin conductive microfibres.
Electronics meets Production: Focus on Plastic Solutions and Systems
24.09.2025
Plastics are indispensable in the electronics industry—as Part 1 of our series has already shown. Whether in housings, insulators, or conductive components, modern plastics enable many applications. But it's not just the materials that count, it's also their precise processing.
Fraunhofer UMSICHT at K 2025: Sustainable Plastics Innovations for the Circular Economy
22.08.2025
Fraunhofer UMSICHT presents innovative, sustainable plastics solutions at K 2025 in Düsseldorf. Highlights include biodegradable films from fruit residues, bio-based flame retardants for electronics, and conductive polymer films for hydrogen and heating applications – paving the way for a circular plastics economy.
Plastics in the Electrical Industry: High-tech Materials for Smart Devices
23.07.2025
Did you know that the average smartphone contains around twenty grams of plastic? Plastics are not only found in the housings, but also in tiny components such as insulators on circuit boards or flexible connecting elements. They make modern devices lighter, safer, and more powerful and are therefore a key driver of innovation in electronics.
"Europe Sets the Tone for Global Design”
07.07.2025
In a compelling conversation with material expert Chris Lefteri, Creative Director Kiwan Nahm reflects on the evolving role of materials, colors, and finishes (CMF) in modern appliance design—and Europe’s pivotal influence in shaping these trends.
AI Boom Fuels Demand for High-Performance Data Cables
16.05.2025
As global investments in AI data centers surge, so does the demand for high-performance data cables. SIKORA provides highly precise measuring technology to ensure flawless extrusion processes, helping manufacturers meet new quality standards in real time.
Innovative Process for Recyclable In-Mould Electronics
07.03.2025
Making injection-molded electronics more environmentally friendly while providing developers with greater design freedom is a key challenge for the industry. The MULTIMOLD project brings together research teams from Fraunhofer IZM and international partners to develop an innovative injection molding process that combines advanced electronic functionality with high environmental standards.
SABIC Introduces LNP™ ELCRES™ CXL Polycarbonate Copolymers
14.02.2025
SABIC has launched its new LNP™ ELCRES™ CXL polycarbonate (PC) copolymer resins, designed to offer exceptional chemical resistance. These materials aim to assist customers in the mobility, electronics, industrial, and infrastructure sectors in managing increased exposure to harsh chemicals that can lead to environmental stress cracking and premature component failure.
K meets MEDICA – TPU Films in Medical Wearables
20.12.2024
Covestro, a global player in the polymer industry and a major exhibitor at K, will be presenting its latest solutions made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films at MEDICA 2024. These are increasingly being used in the manufacture of medical wearables.
AIMPLAS participates in a European project to develop environmentally sustainable printed electronics
19.09.2023
The REFORM project aims to develop sustainable electronic components using bio-derived materials to reduce the reliance on scarce metals. It addresses the environmental impact of e-waste by creating recyclable and eco-friendly printed electronics, involving various European partners, including AIMPLAS, to develop innovative recycling methods.
New GENBETA car developed by Formula E and its innovation partner SABIC shatters Guinness World Records™ title
19.09.2023
SABIC's materials contributed to the GENBETA car setting an indoor speed record at the 2023 Hankook London E-Prix, with driver Jake Hughes reaching 218.71KPH. These materials, including thermoplastics, enhanced the car's performance, aligning with SABIC's commitment to electrification and sustainability in partnership with Formula E.
Intelligent rubber materials
12.09.2023
Materials scientists at the University of Stuttgart and pharmacists at the University of Tübingen have developed smart polymer materials that can autonomously adapt to environmental conditions, making them ideal for soft robotics and exoskeletons.
The VR glove from the 3D printer
26.12.2022
In a project called "Manufhaptics", researchers at Empa, together with EPFL and ETH Zurich, want to develop a VR glove that will make virtual worlds tangible. The VR glove is to be created using a 3D printing process and will have three different actuators.
Smart textiles sense how their users are moving
22.08.2022
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology develop a comfortable, form-fitting fabric that recognizes its wearer's activities, like walking, running, and jumping. Through the process of thermoforming, the researchers were able to significantly improve the precision of pressure sensors woven into multilayer knitted textiles, which they call 3DKnITS.