Sensor-based solutions combined with digitalization have led to a revolution within machine-based vision and hearing. Similarly, there is great potential in digitizing the sense of smell. The possibilities of using e-noses extend over a wide range of applications.

The sense of smell is complex and creating an e-nose that meets the needs you want is often challenging. A successful design involves making several well-balanced choices, ranging from an analysis of the odors (gas compositions) that may occur, to wise choice of hardware and software.

At RISE, we can help you with these choices and most steps in your innovation work. For example, we help you with sensor development, developing a prototype for a specific application or testing the sensors' response to exposure to gases or odors. Below is a selection of more expertise and application areas where RISE can contribute with expertise to help you move forward with your issues.

Sensor technology

A central part of creating an e-nose is to choose the gas sensors that it should be based uopn. The fundamental principle is to have a set of sensors, a sensor array, with different sensitivities to different gases. This matrix forms the basis for being able to create "fingerprints" for different types of odors.

When choosing sensors, several considerations must be made. What desirable properties should the e-nose have? What environment will it operate in? What cost is acceptable? What will be the energy-supply to the sensor system? At RISE, we have great expertise in sensor technology and can help in the selection process. We can either guide you through the wide range of existing commercial technologies or develop your own sensors that may suit your needs. For example, we can manufacture gas sensors based on semiconductor materials.

Another area where RISE is working is printed electronics, a technology that has advantages from a sustainability and cost perspective. The technology makes it possible, among other things, for the sensor matrix to be printed on a substrate that can be of A4 size. Materials such as paper, PET, polyamide or wood can be used. Eco-friendly inks can create wires and mounting surfaces. Diodes, capacitances, antennas can be printed using the same technology. All of this contributes to a high degree of recyclability. To help build prototypes and develop new products, RISE has access to CAD tools, labs for testing and certification. Follow the links at the bottom of the page to read more about what RISE does in sensor technology and related areas such as electronics and communication.

AI and Computing

The principle of an electronic nose is based on the existence of some type of recognition algorithm. It can be anything from a mathematical model based on known phenomena to statistical models and AI. At RISE, there are several experts who work with statistics, AI and deep learning.

Gas- och aromanalys

What we experience as smell is often a complex mixture of different substances that reach the olfactory epithelium in the nose. The signals from the olfactory receptors are passed on into the brain where they are interpreted together with a variety of other signals, such as temperature, the basic tastes and the feeling of heat that, for example, chili can give. These mechanisms within human sense of smell can be copied with an e-nose. When developing and training an e-nose, the content of the gas composition to which it is exposed needs to be well defined so that the e-nose can be calibrated. Depending on the stage of development, this can be done in different ways.

To identify the content of an unknown odorous mixture of different substances, aroma analysis is required. With gas chromatography – olfactometry, we can identify the chemical substances that cause the perceived odor and with this recipe then design a suitable test mix that the e-nose can be trained with. Scroll down and read more about RISE's different expertise in aromachemistry and sensory.

Tillämpningsområden, domänkunskap

The areas where an e-nose can be used are many. Examples of applications in food and agriculture can be to assess quality and spoilage, or to monitor/control plant or fermentation processes. Monitoring of bioprocesses also extends beyond the food sector.

In building physics and the indoor environment, it is possible to monitor hygiene in, for example, bathhouses or toilets with the aim of optimising cleaning or other maintenance. Other areas of application can be to detect moisture damage or vermin.

In healthcare, monitoring and diagnostics with the help of e-nose may be done.

In many cases, it is valuable to support an innovation project with domain knowledge in addition to the purely technical knowledge. At RISE, we have many employees with expertise in the domains mentioned above and many others. 

The development of robust data carriers for traceability in textile products requires strong interdisciplinary collaborations. At RISE, we have a broad range of scientific and technical competences, and can offer research and development in:

• textile materials, from fibre development to fabric testing.
• physical data carriers developed for a specific application.
• flexible electronics using substrates such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), paper, bioplastic/plastic films or textiles.
• flexible electronics and sensors designed to withstand wash and wear.
• testing of the resiliance to ageing in different climates, or after laundry.

The world is facing complex challenges such as climate change, energy transition, lack of drinking water and a growing elderly population. The outstanding potential of graphene and 2D materials opens doors for innovation in several sectors.

Graphene's ultra-thin nature and superior electrical, thermal and mechanical properties enable the development of efficient and environmentally friendly technologies. 

Graphene's use extends over a wide range of applications. At RISE we can help you with everything from applied research to product development. A selection of areas in which we at RISE work with graphene and other 2D materials. 

A selection of areas in which we at RISE work with graphene and other 2D materials:

Would you like to know more? Contact Karin Persson, see contact details below.

In Sweden, there are 1.5 million people with reduced vision and/or hearing to varying degrees, and about 3,000 people with deafblindness. Statistical predictions show that people with disabilities will increase in number in the coming years.

In an inclusive society, tactile articulation and communication can be an accessible information channel. Market forecasts show that one of the fastest growing fields in the global market is haptic  (sensory experiences through skin and body movements) electronics.

The project worked with new technology that enables smaller, more energy efficient and more attractive vibrotactile aids for navigation and detection in varying environments.

Supply of raw materials to the battery industry, developing new battery materials, and improving existing battery chemistries are essential focus areas for RISE. We develop and work with cathode and anode materials, as well as optimization of electrolytes and additives. You will also find advanced research and development work with bio-based electrodes and printed electronics with us.

RISE expertise in battery materials mainly focuses on:

Do you want to learn more about what RISE offers in the battery area? Read more on our area page for batteries.

Batteries at RISE

Digitization is transforming our entire society. This course provides an overview of P&OE and how P&OE relates to digitization. You will get a better overview of the area and insight into design and production techniques that can enable exchange or complement to traditional electronics.

The course is organized as half a day and is taught on site at Printed Electronics Arena (PEA) in Norrköping. The course is aimed for decision-makers and developers without or with limited knowledge in P&OE. The course is expected to have participants from several different companies and organizations, which also gives you the opportunity to expand your network.

Arrangement

The course is organized as a half-day training between 10: 00-15: 00 including lunch. The course is supervised and carried out by our talented employees in printed and organic electronics together with partners.

The course consists of four parts:

Basics

What is Printed and Organic Electronics? How does P&OE relate to digitization? How and what techniques are there for P&OE?

The human and PE

P&OE is becoming an increasingly common part of services and products with new materials and innovative solutions. How can we make everyday life easier for people by interacting with products and services where P&OE is a part.

Applications

When to use P&OE and what are the products of the future? How to design products/services where P&OE is part of the solution?

Greener electronics, sustainable products

How can we make electronics greener and what part has P&OE in that.

Target group

Decision makers and developers without or with limited knowledge in P&OE.

Educational opportunities 

The training takes place continuously. Number of participants per training session approx. 8 people. We also reserve the right to cancel training sessions if the number of participants is less than 3 people.

Place

Printed Electronics Arena (PEA), Bredgatan 33, 602 21 NORRKÖPING

Price

SEK 8000 per person

Learning objectives

After completing the course, the participant should be able to:

• Describe what P&OE are and how it fit into different contexts

• Describe common manufacturing methods for P&OE and analyze when they are useful and what is required to use them

• Describe how a hybrid solution with P&OE can be designed

• Describe suitable areas of use for P&OE and analyze when P&OE can be used in applications

• Reflect on how P&OE can be used in your own organization and what it requires to succeed

The long-term vision of the Center is to address the energy storage challenges associated with the transition to a fossil-free society. The plan is to generate and spread knowledge and know-how by monitoring international activities in the field, by supporting companies dependent on this technology with a deeper understanding of the possibilities and limitations of energy storage, so that they can reap the full potential of advanced batteries in their products and services. 
 

RISE has many collaborations within BASE.

 
These include:

• Toxicity and recyclability investigations 
• Safety issues, flammability, and testing of thermal runaway 
• Sensor applications to increase the understanding of performance and sustainability of batteries 
• Production of materials on a larger scale 
• Additive manufacturing 
• Modeling of battery aging
• Graphetization of bio-based hard carbon 
• Electrolyte and binder investigations 

Trace4Value/SwePass brings together actors from several sectors to address the challenge of sustainable system transformation. The challenge is complex and requires collaboration through several parts of the innovation system and the participation of parties from both industry, academia and actors in the form of industry representatives. Swedish industry is currently moving towards a transition to climate-neutral and circular production where resource-efficient and resilient value chains are a prerequisite. The transition from linear to circular economy is half the solution to the climate crisis; that is how important the issue is today. Trace4Value/SwePass will serve as a platform to drive a development where innovation can create national and international competitiveness where the circular economy is an export product and contributes to a socially and culturally sustainable industry.

Through Trace4Value/SwePass, industry can be part of a sustainable system transformation while strengthening the competitiveness of companies. The transition from linear to circular economy is systemic and pervasive and cannot be implemented in isolation by companies, organizations or other parts of society. It requires cross-border cooperation and large-scale action. For industry, this means collaborating across the entire value chain, and Trace4Value/SwePass addresses multiple dimensions.

The major contribution of the project is the consultation and mutual learning between the industries represented, and the project's policy and advocacy work aims to disseminate the results to actors far beyond the project.

Batteries have been used to drive the industrialization of the world. The demand for batteries in Europe in the next couple of years will grow tremendously. The use of electrically powered systems and especially battery-powered systems has grown substantially in recent decades, resulting in demands for increased battery performance. Global trends towards a fossil-fuel-free society is also increasing investment in battery technology. The next generation of engineering and Battery business solutions is beneficial for industries and RDI sponsors.

WE at RISE help to analyze novel batteries AI frameworks based on BMS system for reliable estimation of current and future health conditions of battery in an industrial environment for durability, circularity aspect using enabling Technologies which will strengthen battery business for the industry. We use the AI approach to model, analyze, and design cost-effectively.

We can provide the answers and information you need within the following:

• A broad range of methods and applications of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Digital Twins for Battery, Smart Battery Management Systems (BMS), and other areas related to the industrial use of Battery.
• Digitalization for Battery Cell Manufacturing: Dry and Wet Processes
• Condition assessment of battery, diagnostics, and measurement of the state of charge (SoC) and state-of-health (SoH) or lifetime
• AI-based Modelling the aging and wear of the battery ( model, analyze, and design cost-effective )
• Identifying batteries with a high risk of failure and evaluating the reliability of the existing sensor measurements
• The next generation of engineering and Battery business solutions

Targets area related to Artificial Intelligence and Batteries

• Durability
• Circularity
• Safety
• Enabling Technology ( AI/ML, Digitalization, Digital Twins)