Project: OCTOPUS Sensor clusters

INTRODUCTION_x000D__x000D_There has been a massive growth in the use of sensors in recent years. The modern motor car is a good example with more than 50 sensors enabling it to measure suspension dynamics, engine performance, crash conditions, even seat and passenger position. A similar story is true in many other machines from industrial burners to surgical equipment. Sensing is often carried out in 'clusters' - an electromechanical assembly or harness containing various sensors, housings, mounts, plugs, sockets, copper wire, electrical insulation, EMC screening, electronics and embedded software. Such sensor clusters often form a major part of the host machine's functionality and its production cost._x000D__x000D_PROJECT GOAL_x000D__x000D_This project's goal is to develop a radically new, low-cost, lightweight, flexible sensing technology which can measure all the commonly sensed parameters: - position, speed, temperature, pressure and humidity. The new technology will use large area printing techniques, inexpensive substrates, conductive and dielectric inks together with digital electronics to produce sensor clusters. The large area, sheet forms will be (multi-layer) printed with a multiplicity of sensor arrays and interconnections distributed over the planar area and then cut to suit the host application._x000D__x000D_The technology is referred to as 'OCTOPUS' because of the resemblance of the the printed sensor clusters to the animal - multiple sensors, arranged along and at the end of strips of flexible laminate - each strip extending from a central electronics node. _x000D__x000D_OCTOPUS will enable a range of products which are designed to suit customer requirements. Products will vary by the number, type and location of sensors as well as embedded software. For example, an OCTOPLUS cluster for an air-conditioning system may contain temperature, pressure, humidity and (valve) position sensors whereas an OCTOPUS cluster for an agricultural vehicle cockpit may contain >20 position sensors._x000D__x000D_OCTOPUS's basic physics are similar to those used by inductive detectors and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. Each printed OCTOPUS reader (or 'antenna') interrogates a passive, inductively resonant, printed tag (or 'target'). The resulting RF signature can be electronically decoded to measure the tag's position, speed, humidity, pressure or temperature. (A technical description is provided in Appendix A). The antennas are planar, multi-layer arrays of conductors and insulators printed on thin, flexible, low-cost substrates such as polyester. The tags are resonant circuits containing a printed coil and capacitors in series. Importantly, this non-contact sensing technique is highly stable and robust. _x000D__x000D_Compared to the state of the art, the project will :-_x000D_ - improve the price-performance point by a factor of 7_x000D_ - improve reliability by a factor of 6 _x000D_ - reduce weight by a factor of 5._x000D__x000D_The project will produce a massive technological shift and will position the collaborators well ahead of current and foreseeable technological benchmarks. There will be a big impact on the global (OEM) sensing and controls market._x000D__x000D_TECHNICAL & MARKET APPLICATIONS_x000D__x000D_There are significant technical barriers but overcoming them will open up excellent commercial opportunities in a global and expanding market. The common theme to OCTOPUS's application area is low-cost, reliable and accurate sensing - especially for harsh environments. Customers will be equipment manufacturers in a wide range of sectors such as industrial, automation, automotive (passenger and off-road), medical, aerospace, utility, petrochemical & scientific. _x000D__x000D_OCTOPUS's laminar, flexible form will also open new and exciting spin-off applications in motor sport, prosthetics, robotics, space equipment, medical devices and surgical equipment._x000D__x000D_PROJECT CONSORTIUM_x000D__x000D_The project has 2 collaborators - Zettlex in UK and SQP in Slovakia. Between them they have all the necessary expertise and facilities to carry out the project and implement its results._x000D__x000D_Both are high-tech manufacturing companies with world-class scientific and technical resources. The two companies know each other already since SQP are a supplier to Zettlex._x000D__x000D_Zettlex design and make harsh environment, inductive sensors and SQP make leading edge printed circuits. There is great synergy in their respective knowledge, prototyping, test and manufacturing facilities. There is excellent scope for knowledge sharing and cross fertilization of ideas. The two companies have signed a consortium agreement and have jointly drafted and agreed the project plans. _x000D__x000D_Once the new technology is developed, the barriers to exploitation are low. Both companies are highly motivated by the attractive commercial potential. Importantly, the collaborators can exploit the technology through their existing routes to market and international sales channels._x000D__x000D__x000D_

Acronym	OCTOPUS (Reference Number: 7643)
Duration	01/03/2013 - 28/02/2015
Project Topic	The project will develop organic, large area printed electronics and radio frequency technology for sensor clusters. New designs, constructions & test methods will enable lightweight & flexible technology for position, speed, temperature, humidity and pressure sensors.
Project Results (after finalisation)	We have developed new manufacturing process for production of targets and antennas and printed circuit board testing process for efficient testing of printed areas. This technology gives us a range of commercial opportunities to be introduced to the market.
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 9

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
2	SQP International s.r.o.	Partner	Slovakia
2	Zettlex (UK) Limited	Coordinator	United Kingdom