About FME
The Functional Materials Engineering (FME) research group is focused on the printing and coating of functional materials on a wide variety of substrates. It is the aim of the FME research group to understand different printing and coating techniques in combination with the engineering of functional materials for applications such as printed light emitting devices, printed sensors for health monitoring, structural and hybrid electronics, and flexible and stretchable electronics applications.
Research lines
Health sensors
The evolution of printed electronics has enabled soft, stretchable sensors using materials like graphene-oxide and silver nanowires, leading to biocompatible, multifunctional wearables such as smart wound dressings.
Stretchable electronics
Research into soft, stretchable electronics uses innovative materials and optimized techniques, ensuring millions of stretch cycles with minimal degradation by understanding component interplay and deposition methods.
Structural electronics
This research combines screen printing on deformable substrates with thermal forming for 3D circuits, using conductive adhesives for SMD components, creating hybrid electronics integrated into structural 3D shapes.
Light emission
Light emission is achieved using layered structures, with AC electroluminescent devices and DC-printed LEDs. Research focuses on material optimization, deposition technologies, and near-infrared emission for healthcare applications like wound healing.
How to collaborate with FME?
- Joint research projects: research and development in close cooperation, financed by a third party (e.g. FWO, VLAIO, Horizon Europe, EFRO)
- Technology/knowledge transfer: you can strengthen your market position through licensing and access to our existing technologies and expertise
- Partnership: you can cooperate with FME and use our technology (possibly) in combination with your own technology to set up a new company
- Scientific services: FME has long-standing expertise in applied and contract research in collaboration with industry
Contact
Wim Deferme
Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Full professor
Materials physics & engineering
Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium