Development of Novel Strategies for High-Throughput Digital Manufacturing of Hybrid Flexible Electronic Circuits

PROJECT COST:

1 181 250 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

450 000 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

Leading Quebec companies are joining forces to accelerate the large-scale manufacturing of tomorrow’s hybrid electronic circuits on unconventional substrates.

The goal of the project led by Prof. Sylvain Cloutier of ÉTS is to work closely with two key players in Quebec’s electronics manufacturing and assembly sector (Sollum Technologies and Varitron) to: (1) adapt printed circuit board (PCB) printing strategies to a customized, high-throughput printing process for manufacturing on unconventional substrates, and then (2) enable high-speed assembly of hybrid electronic circuits on these complex substrates using industrial robots and processes compatible with the assembly and encapsulation methods employed by the industrial partners.

Varitron’s goal is to become a global leader in high-volume printed electronics manufacturing. Sollum Technologies aims to build an innovation ecosystem based on high-throughput digital hybrid electronics manufacturing strategies to print complex circuits on aluminum heat exchangers for greenhouse applications in Quebec. Fujifilm-Dimatix will assist in scaling up industrial-grade, high-throughput digital inkjet printing strategies. Finally, the C2MI will be able to assist in the deployment of high-throughput digital hybrid electronics manufacturing strategies.

One master’s student, five doctoral students, and two postdocs will be trained.

The project will strengthen Quebec’s and Canada’s position in the high-throughput manufacturing of hybrid electronic circuits and could even enable food self-sufficiency in winter!