CPES2018 (Ottawa, Ontario), Canada’s premier conference and tradeshow exhibition for flexible and hybrid electronics (FHE), is assembling a world-class roster of session chairs, keynotes, panelists and subject matter experts to explore what’s new and what’s possible. Organized by the intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance, CPES2018 will take place May 23-24 at Centennial College’s Conference Centre in Toronto. Some 2,000 companies are involved in the design, development or manufacturing of electronics-based products in Canada, said the alliance. They must deal with increasing pressure to innovate and adapt in the face of stiff global competition. FHE offers fresh ways to grow revenue and compete with new products and applications for verticals such as Smart Packaging and Retail, Intelligent Buildings and Connected Homes, Aerospace and Defence, Automotive and Aerospace, Health and Wellness, Intelligent Documents and Wearables. Attendees will learn about the materials, components, tools and manufacturing technologies and applications needed to capitalize on these opportunities.
“Whether your interests lie in the latest in materials science, or in the practical considerations of commercializing new products and applications, we have you covered,” said Peter Kallai, CPES2018 Co-chair and President and CEO of intelliFLEX. “We continue to expand the breadth of our agenda to explore where the latest market opportunities exist, and how diverse players across the FHE ecosystem can work together to achieve great things.” Below is a sampling of the more than 30 innovators and thought leaders with whom you can engage during two days of keynotes, plenary sessions, panel discussions, start-up pitch sessions and multiple networking opportunities. Keynotes announced thus far include:
Melissa Grupen-Shemansky, CTO of FlexTech Alliance, the American industry association for the flexible and printed electronics industry supply chain. She’ll deliver a keynote on the FHE Technology Road Map.
Christine DeFabio, Head of Global Connected Packaging Capability at Unilever. She will discuss in her keynote the consumer products giant’s journey from trial to large-scale implementation of FHE technologies.
Speakers so far include:
Warren Ali, Director of Emerging Technologies Initiatives at APMA, Canada’s national association representing OEM producers for the worldwide automotive industry. He’ll explore FHE applications and market opportunities in automotive.
Simon Fried, President at Israel’s Nano Dimension, which researches and develops advanced 3D printed electronics, including a 3D printer for multi-layer printed circuit boards. Fried will discuss revolutionizing printed circuit-board manufacturing.
Rick Larson, Head of Technical Sales at Novacentrix. The CPES2018 Diamond Sponsor is a leading product innovator in printable electronics manufacturing known for its Metalon conductive inks and PulseForge photonic curing tools. Larson will discuss scaling up from the lab to commercial production.
James Lee, Director of Technology Innovations for Smart Packaging at Jones Packaging, is a pioneer in adding intelligence to packaging on high-speed production lines. Lee will moderate an industry panel that will discuss FHE applications and benefits for the smart packaging and retail supply chain.
Erika Rebrosova, Electronic Materials Technology Manager at Sun Chemical, the world’s largest producer of printing inks, will discuss material advances for in-mould electronics.
Brodie Stanfield is Founder and Co-CEO of Inventing Future Technologies. This R&D hardware and software company has developed ARAIG, the world’s first multi-sensory and multi-directional force feedback suit. Stanfield will discuss the scale-up challenges facing wearables companies, after getting funded by Manjit Minhas on Dragon’s Den a year ago.
Ilaria Varoli is Senior Vice-President at Myant. Myant made headlines last Fall when it committed $100 million to the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster proposal. Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, named this Supercluster as one of the five winners recently. Varoli will chair a session on Smart Textiles and Wearables.
Industrial Design Workshop Leader:
Dylan Horvath, President of Cortex Design, a product design and manufacturing firm in Toronto’s burgeoning art and design district, will discuss industrial design best practices for electronics.
Evolving International Standards Workshop Leaders:
Chris Jorgensen is Director Technology Transfer with IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries. This worldwide trade association represents the electronics interconnect industry. Jorgensen is staff liaison to standards development committees, including committees for e-textiles and printed electronics.
Haridoss Sarma, Research and Technology Scout and Go 2 Scout 4 R&T, is a seasoned veteran in evaluating technology readiness levels and in technology transfer and commercialization. He and Jorgensen will discuss evolving new standards for FHE, and how to incorporate these into your development processes for faster market access.
Intellectual Property Protection Workshop Leader:
David Lotimer, MBM Intellectual Property Law, works with entrepreneurs to support their businesses and help them manage their IP assets. Lotimer will cover the critical steps in IP protection that many firms miss in their technology, product development and commercialization.
CPES2018 announces initial speakers and pre-conference workshops
