Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1490123
80 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2023 depending on how thick you need the layers. ere are other varieties too, of course, like cya- nide-based or cyanide-free processes and so on. We're well positioned in that we offer a full range of application processes to meet any need. Starkey: ese sound like exciting develop- ments for MKS Atotech. Helbich: Absolutely, especially when we think about the bigger picture. Our electroless appli- cations are oen used, as I already mentioned, in the power semiconductor area, and we are also offering advanced solutions for electrical vehicles, which is another interesting area for which our customers demand solutions. Starkey: I'm sure you are well prepared for a substantial and exciting future. Helbich: e entire team is excited and will continue to give their best day in and out. So yes, thank you. Starkey: It's been a great pleasure to meet you and to talk with you about these technologies. Helbich: ank you very much for your time, and I hope to see you next year again here in Munich. Starkey: I look forward to it. ank you again. PCB007 Simon Fraser University Creating smart sensors to embed in our everyday objects and environments for the Internet of Things (IoT) would vastly improve daily life—but requires trillions of such small devices. Simon Fraser Univer- sity professor Vincenzo Pecunia believes alterna- tive semiconductors that are printable, low-cost and eco-friendly could lead the way to a cheaper and more sustainable IoT. Pecunia has identified key priorities and promis- ing avenues for printable electronics to enable self- powered, eco-friendly smart sensors. His forward- looking insights are outlined in his paper published on Dec. 28 in Nature Electronics. "Equipping everyday objects and environments with intelligence via smart sensors would allow us to make more informed decisions as we go about in our daily lives," says Pecunia. "printable semicon- ductors can deliver electronics with a much lower carbon footprint and cost." Pecunia says making printable electronics that can work using energy harvested from the environ- ment—from ambient light or ubiquitous radiofre- quency signals, for example—could be the answer. "Our analysis reveals that a key priority is to real- ize printable electronics with as small a material set as possible to streamline their fabrication pro- cess, thus ensuring the straightforward scale-up and low cost of the technology," says Pecunia. The article outlines a vision of printed electronics that could also be powered by ubiquitous mobile sig- nals through innovative low-power approaches— essentially allowing smart sensors to charge out of thin air. "Based on recent breakthroughs, we anticipate that printable semiconductors could play a key role in realizing the full sustainability potential of the Internet of Things by delivering self-powered sen- sors for smart homes, smart buildings and smart cit- ies, as well as for manufacturing and industry." Self-powered, Printable Smart Sensors Created from Emerging Semiconductors Could Mean Cheaper, Greener Internet of Things