The Eurecat technology centre is showcasing at the LOPEC international fair, held in Munich, new sustainable printed sensors based on graphene that are flexible, lightweight, adaptable and recyclable, facilitating real‑time monitoring of structural parameters in components ranging from healthcare elements, such as smart orthopaedic devices, to demanding industrial environments.
These sensors, which are ideal for monitoring the condition of parts and objects in the healthcare and engineering sectors, “demonstrate the versatility and potential of graphene as a sustainable material, and of printed electronics for precise real‑time monitoring of structural parameters in components, as they adapt better to the part and can detect changes in electrical resistance, pressure or vibration,” explains the researcher at Eurecat’s Functional Printing & Embedded Devices Unit Cristina Martínez.
Within the framework of LOPEC, considered the leading trade fair in electronics in business, Eurecat is also presenting a Lab‑on‑a‑Chip‑type platform for real‑time monitoring of water quality, consisting of a miniaturised device built on a multisensor monolithic platform.
This solution, which incorporates printed sensors manufactured using printed electronics technology, simultaneously measures several key parameters such as pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen, among others, offering high sensitivity, long‑term stability and the ability to detect low concentrations.
“The first results show the transformative potential of this innovation in making water analysis more accessible, efficient and sustainable,” highlights the researcher at Eurecat’s Functional Printing & Embedded Devices Unit Ramon Herrera.
In addition, the German company PRÖLL is showcasing at its LOPEC stand a demonstrator for the automotive sector that incorporates the latest advancements in plastronics technology developed by Eurecat. It consists of a single monolithic part combining electronics and plastic materials and integrating smart lighting, capacitive sensors, a display, a haptic system and all the microelectronics.
Plastronics is an emerging technology that brings intelligence to structural plastic components and, thanks to its capabilities, has the potential to transform a wide range of sectors. One of the fields where this technology is already becoming established is the automotive sector, where it is applied to components that enhance user interaction while preserving design and comfort within vehicle interiors.
Pioneering graphene‑based solutions to address environmental challenges
In the field of sensors, Eurecat is participating in the GIANCE project, which is establishing a holistic, integrative and industry‑driven platform focused on improving sustainable materials and their real‑world applications.
In this regard, GIANCE designs, develops and scales the next generation of composites, coatings, foams and multifunctional membranes based on graphene and graphene‑related materials (GRMs). These advanced materials are designed to enhance performance, including thermal, mechanical and chemical properties, offering functionalities such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical and fire resistance, hardness, impact resistance, high‑temperature stability, structural‑integrity and low‑friction surfaces monitoring.
Innovation in chips to alleviate musculoskeletal diseases
Eurecat is also part of the SmILE consortium, which is developing intelligent solutions to reduce the impact of non‑communicable musculoskeletal diseases (MSK‑NCDs) in elderly people, through prevention and early intervention, fostering autonomy and social inclusion while reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
The project is creating a universal chip platform that can be integrated into a wide range of medical devices, turning them into active data generators and enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses, while also supporting the deployment of innovative treatments.
