BioSens - Biodegradable thin-film sensors for monitoring wood-based parts and components
Duration: 01 November 2023 - 30 April 2026
Funding amount: €249,062.91
Funding by: BMWK / IGF (AiF / TIHD)
Summary:
The goal of the project is to develop a biodegradable thin-film sensor system for the simultaneous detection of strain, humidity, and temperature, specifically for use in timber construction. The sensors, intended for continuous monitoring, aim to reduce safety concerns about wood as a building material, increase the acceptance and spread of timber construction, and not hinder the circular reuse of wood. A three-dimensional layer structure of the sensor material will enable the detection of strain, humidity, and temperature changes, while suitable algorithms will computationally eliminate cross-dependencies between these three parameters, thus preventing misinterpretations.
By enabling the substitution of conventional electronic components with organic-electronic counterparts, the project lays the foundation for the development of sustainable sensor technologies with a better CO2 footprint than the technologies currently available on the market. Additionally, all materials required for sensor manufacturing can be sourced from Europe, thus avoiding critical countries of origin and raw materials (e.g., rare earth elements).
The potential user base of the results, including timber construction companies, engineering and planning firms, measurement technicians, and manufacturers of organic electronics, primarily consists of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The project's initial focus on timber construction is seen as only a first step, given the significant demand for structural health monitoring in components made from other materials and their joints. The combination of biodegradability, thin-film technology, and the potential for cost-effective production via roll-to-roll processing opens up a wide range of applications, particularly in the automotive and machinery industries, food packaging, and medical or biotechnological fields.
Contact:
© Kai Schmidt /IAP
Head of the Institute of Applied Physics
NameProf. Dr. Karl Leo
Chair of Optoelectronics
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