Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CHARISMA (ENTREPRENEURING CHEMICAL IRREVERSIBILITY TO PROTOTYPE RESPONSIVE SMART LABELS)
Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2024-01-31
The CHARISMA project aimed to address the underdeveloped state of smart label technology, which relied on cumbersome apparatuses requiring separate read-out devices. The project focused on developing irreversible smart labels that were easy to read and could not be counterfeited.
The development of error-safe devices that could be read without external equipment was of significant societal impact. These smart labels had potential applications in various fields, offering enhanced anti-counterfeit possibilities and improving efficiency in tasks such as logistics and product authentication.
The main objective of the CHARISMA project was to train 9 ESRs in chemistry, electrochemistry, materials science, and device engineering. The goal was to develop irreversible, sustainable, and economically advantageous smart labels that enabled direct human read-out. Through close collaboration between academia and industry, the project aimed to create thin, flexible, and mass-producible smart labels that fulfilled these objectives. Additionally, the project aimed to increase the employability of the ESRs in both academic and industrial sectors by providing specialized training in innovative fields such as printed electronics, smart labels, display technologies and chemical sustainability.
The development of error-safe devices that could be read without external equipment was of significant societal impact. These smart labels had potential applications in various fields, offering enhanced anti-counterfeit possibilities and improving efficiency in tasks such as logistics and product authentication.
The main objective of the CHARISMA project was to train 9 ESRs in chemistry, electrochemistry, materials science, and device engineering. The goal was to develop irreversible, sustainable, and economically advantageous smart labels that enabled direct human read-out. Through close collaboration between academia and industry, the project aimed to create thin, flexible, and mass-producible smart labels that fulfilled these objectives. Additionally, the project aimed to increase the employability of the ESRs in both academic and industrial sectors by providing specialized training in innovative fields such as printed electronics, smart labels, display technologies and chemical sustainability.
The CHARISMA project has achieved significant milestones in developing cutting-edge technologies for smart labels. These labels incorporate irreversible electrochromic indicators, chemical thermal sensors, and printed flexible supercapacitor energy storage modules, paving the way for advanced applications in various industries.
One key objective was to create irreversible electrochromic indicators with optimal performance for integration into commercial technologies. These indicators needed to meet specific criteria such as activation voltage, coloration efficiency, thermal and environmental stability, contrast, and switching time. By utilizing different monomers and mixtures, the project achieved multichromic indicators with enhanced performance. The most stable indicators demonstrated resilience even after prolonged exposure to high temperatures, ensuring reliable performance in various conditions.
The integration of chemical thermal sensors played a crucial role in the smart label system. These sensors detect temperature variations, triggering responsive actions within the label. The change in conductivity of the sensor serves as a switching mechanism, activating the supercapacitor energy storage module, which powers the electrochromic visual indicator.
A significant achievement was the development of a printed flexible supercapacitor energy storage module. This module, comprising three printed supercapacitors connected in series, offers optimal power storage capacity and flexibility. Utilizing non-toxic materials in fabrication ensures minimal environmental impact, aligning with sustainability goals.
The innovative smart label system holds promise for various applications, particularly in industries requiring stringent temperature control, such as pharmaceuticals and logistics. The ability to monitor temperature deviations in real-time provides invaluable insights into product integrity throughout the supply chain.
The success of the CHARISMA project stems from close collaboration between academia and industry partners. Through multidisciplinary training and collaborative research, the project has fostered innovation and advanced the field of printed electronics. The integration of diverse expertise has led to the development of practical prototypes with significant potential in the market.
The advancements made within the CHARISMA project represent a significant leap forward in smart label technology. By combining scientific rigor with industrial applications, the project has laid the foundation for the future of printed electronics, offering sustainable and versatile solutions for various industries.
One key objective was to create irreversible electrochromic indicators with optimal performance for integration into commercial technologies. These indicators needed to meet specific criteria such as activation voltage, coloration efficiency, thermal and environmental stability, contrast, and switching time. By utilizing different monomers and mixtures, the project achieved multichromic indicators with enhanced performance. The most stable indicators demonstrated resilience even after prolonged exposure to high temperatures, ensuring reliable performance in various conditions.
The integration of chemical thermal sensors played a crucial role in the smart label system. These sensors detect temperature variations, triggering responsive actions within the label. The change in conductivity of the sensor serves as a switching mechanism, activating the supercapacitor energy storage module, which powers the electrochromic visual indicator.
A significant achievement was the development of a printed flexible supercapacitor energy storage module. This module, comprising three printed supercapacitors connected in series, offers optimal power storage capacity and flexibility. Utilizing non-toxic materials in fabrication ensures minimal environmental impact, aligning with sustainability goals.
The innovative smart label system holds promise for various applications, particularly in industries requiring stringent temperature control, such as pharmaceuticals and logistics. The ability to monitor temperature deviations in real-time provides invaluable insights into product integrity throughout the supply chain.
The success of the CHARISMA project stems from close collaboration between academia and industry partners. Through multidisciplinary training and collaborative research, the project has fostered innovation and advanced the field of printed electronics. The integration of diverse expertise has led to the development of practical prototypes with significant potential in the market.
The advancements made within the CHARISMA project represent a significant leap forward in smart label technology. By combining scientific rigor with industrial applications, the project has laid the foundation for the future of printed electronics, offering sustainable and versatile solutions for various industries.
The results of the CHARISMA project on the development of new irreversible electrochromic organic materials will be protected with a patent, under preparation at UNIVIE. This could lead to new applications for these types of materials and the development of new products, increasing the European innovation capacity in the upgrowing field of smart labels. This could contribute to the European economic growth through the development of new businesses and products. Similarly, developments in flexible printed electronics as obtained during the first period of the project are at the forefront of the new paradigm of the Internet-of-Things under development worldwide.
The CHARISMA consortium also increased the knowledge of 9 talented ESRs in all aspects of the new field of organic chemistry, allowing the students to grasp all aspects of this ambitious multidisciplinary project. With the knowledge already acquired and the one they will receive during the second part of the project, the ESRs will lead the way for a new, highly competitive, development of researcher trained in the academic and industrial sectors, able to communicate between both worlds and increase intersectoral collaboration. Through their knowledge and experience, the ESRs of CHARISMA will demonstrate the benefits of introducing high industrial content in classic academic doctoral trainings. Through their successes and increase in employability, CHARISMA’s ESRs will be the perfect ambassadors of the MSCA Industrial Training Networks.
Finally, through the strengthening of intra and intersectoral collaborations, and creation of new ones, between the different participants of the CHARISMA network, the goal of the project is to create a network of European partners aiming to grow innovation after the end of the project. This will be done through follow-up projects, with the introduction of new partners, participation to international projects and expansion to new countries.
The CHARISMA consortium also increased the knowledge of 9 talented ESRs in all aspects of the new field of organic chemistry, allowing the students to grasp all aspects of this ambitious multidisciplinary project. With the knowledge already acquired and the one they will receive during the second part of the project, the ESRs will lead the way for a new, highly competitive, development of researcher trained in the academic and industrial sectors, able to communicate between both worlds and increase intersectoral collaboration. Through their knowledge and experience, the ESRs of CHARISMA will demonstrate the benefits of introducing high industrial content in classic academic doctoral trainings. Through their successes and increase in employability, CHARISMA’s ESRs will be the perfect ambassadors of the MSCA Industrial Training Networks.
Finally, through the strengthening of intra and intersectoral collaborations, and creation of new ones, between the different participants of the CHARISMA network, the goal of the project is to create a network of European partners aiming to grow innovation after the end of the project. This will be done through follow-up projects, with the introduction of new partners, participation to international projects and expansion to new countries.