Please be invited for the first instance for 2026 of the Center for Wireless Technology (CWTe) bi-monthly colloquia series. 

This CWTe colloquium will host 2 speakers who are partners with TU/e in the MID4Automotive project and they will have presentations on sustainability in electrical engineering hardware topics”. These are the presenters and presentations:

  • Corne Rentrop (TNO Holst Center)  - Creating value with responsible electronics
  • Thomas Mager (Fraunhofer-Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM) – Circular electronic design of ICT devices on aluminium substrates (Mechatronics Integrated Devices)

Creating value with responsible electronics
Corne Rentrop, Stephan Harkema, Pit Teunissen (TNO Holst Center)  

Abstract: A growing desire for continuous data collection, real time information and connectivity has resulted in increased demand for electronic functionalities that are fully integrated in everyday objects. Consumer electronics, lighting, healthcare, wearable electronics, IoT and smart packaging are examples of market segments that follow this trend. As simultaneously the lifetime of such electronic products is decreasing (or are even becoming completely disposable), the environmental pressure rises exponentially, which requires dedicated climate actions to allow sustainable and responsible production and consumption of electronics. Conventional electronics based on PCB will create an exponential environmental pressure, as recycling and/or dismantling of the PCB is hardly done or occurs at very well-defined conditions.

Holst Centre is emphasizing on introduction of flexible, organic & printed electronics as the preferred option to create sustainable electronics. Setting up sustainable value chains for printed electronics requires a multidisciplinary approach with respect to (biobased) materials, (print) processes, device and module dismantling, and their (recycling) processes and regulations. Unique conformal and electronic properties combined with regional production abilities are adding value to a responsible business case.  

The talk discusses the potential of printed electronics to reach a sustainable electronics production, including circular and renewable and even compostable (printed) electronics products. Next to that LCA analysis are shown that compare traditionally manufactured electronics with printed electronics products. Functional printed electronics demonstrators in the mentioned fields have been created, that are all fully recyclable due to incorporation of novel manufacturing processes, materials and dismantling techniques.   As an example, the talk will discuss progress made by the Holst Centre in the field of wearable electronics. More functions are needed to support comfort, user experience and prevent discomfort and non-adoption. This requires switchable, programmable and patterned materials combined with electronics miniaturisation and novel (printable) sensors, adding new directions to responsible electronics production.

 Biography: Corne Rentrop, MsC, is project leader at the Holst Centre (TNO). He has > 9 years of experience in Hybrid printed electronics (HPE) and in that time coordinated various (EU funded) projects on the topic, in which he co-ordinates the Ecotron project. Corne is also cofounder of TracXon b.v. (a spin-off company of TNO Holst centre). TracXon is developing printed electronics solutions for the printed electronics market focusing on sustainable production of PE in Europe.

Circular electronic design of ICT devices on aluminium substrates (Mechatronics Integrated Devices)Thomas Mager (Fraunhofer-Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM)

Abstract: This presentation introduces the ALU4CED concept for circular ICT devices by substituting conventional plastic housings with recyclable aluminum and integrating electronics directly onto 3D aluminum carriers using an LDS lacquer-based MID process. It targets improved product design through higher mechanical stability, enhanced thermal management, and electromagnetic shielding, enabling more compact, sealed device architectures while maintaining high integration density and antenna/sensor integration on 3D surfaces. A demonstrator wireless home router is used to validate the technology chain (lacquer coating, laser direct structuring, metallization) and to assess thermal, mechanical, and electrical performance. 
The proposed end-of-life strategy focuses on rapid disassembly, separation of materials, detachment and recovery of SMD components, and remelting of aluminum (including the thin lacquer layer) to support reuse and recycling with an eco-design framework. Life-cycle assessment results indicate that aluminum housings can increase housing-related impacts but can be offset through PCB downsizing, recycled inputs, and especially manufacturing with renewable energy, and the next steps include larger-scale remelting trials and improved recovery of critical raw materials.

 Biography: Thomas Mager received the master degree in electrical engineering in 1996 from the University of Paderborn, Germany. From 1997 to 1998, he was worked at C-LAB, the cooperation of Siemens-Nixdorf Computer and the University of Paderborn. From 1998 to 2008, he has worked at Fraunhofer Institute Reliability and Microintegration. From 2008 to 2016 he was worked at Fraunhofer-Institute for Electronic Nano Systems as Deputy Head of the Department Advanced System Engineering. Since 2016 he works at Fraunhofer-Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM in the working group integrated intelligent electromechanical structures and specializes in 3D-MID, additive manufacturing and RF design and measurement techniques. The new research focuses are in the areas of sustainable electronics design, energy harvesting, wireless communication and sensing, modular 3D electronic design and the ongoing development of additively manufactured MIDs.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35266013392440?p=mlousLiWXzkUbxQh0I

Meeting ID: 352 660 133 924 40

Passcode: c4Cn9VS7

Need help? | System reference

Dial in by phone

+31 20 899 9368,,864835466# Netherlands, Amsterdam

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 864 835 466#