Fully R2R gravure printed smart tags and related web handling challenges

Abstract

Although a smart tag which can communicate with a smart phone via NFC (Near Field Communication) has been considered as a core tool for bringing up the ubiquitous society, the difficulties in integrating 13.56 MHz RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), sensors and signage altogether on plastic foils with extremely low cost (< 0.5 $) nullify its role for the realization of the ubiquitous society. In this presentation, three key issues of R2R gravure such as overlay printing registration, web tension control and surface roughness of printed layers will be introduced as challenges to be overcome in the production of inexpensive smart tags on flexible plastic foils. The integration of those devices (RFID, sensors and signage) on the plastic foils will be successfully demonstrated using fully gravure printed 96 bit RFID tag, RF-QR tag and RF-Sensors. Those tags contains printed key device units such as 13.56 MHz modulating TFT, digital logic gates, 96 bit memory, cyclic voltammetry, electrochromic display, and rectifier for the wireless power transmission via NFC (13.56 MHz). The detail specifications of R2R gravure and printed key device units for the printed smart tags will be presented as well.