Researchers microfabricated a flexible electronic QR code display using printed electronics on Kapton, enabling low-cost, real-time sensor data sharing via smartphone scans.
When you scan a QR code on a poster, a menu, or even a bus stop ad, you’re looking at a static block of black-and-white squares. But what if those little squares weren’t just printed ink… what if they were electronic and capable of changing in real time?
That’s exactly what researchers from the University of Pretoria have achieved: the microfabrication of an electronic QR (e-QR) code on a flexible substrate. Their work shows how printed electronics can power real-time sensor data displays, offering a low-cost and energy-efficient alternative to traditional sensor networks.
Instead of cloud-heavy, hardware-intensive IoT setups, this approach allows you to simply scan a dynamic e-QR code with your phone to instantly see updated sensor readings—whether it’s air quality, temperature, or other environmental data.
Traditional sensors often rely on costly wireless communication systems that push data to the cloud. That’s powerful but comes with downsides: high energy use, complex hardware, and ongoing costs.
The team’s alternative? Use microfabrication and printed electronics to build a dynamic QR code directly on a flexible film.
In short: the QR code itself becomes the screen. No bulky LCDs or OLED panels needed!
The magic comes from a careful mix of additive and subtractive microfabrication techniques. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how the team made it happen:
Since the circuit was double-sided, alignment was crucial:
The team successfully demonstrated:
This proves that microfabrication + printed electronics can yield functional, low-cost display systems without the need for traditional, resource-hungry display technologies.
Let’s break down why this is such a game-changer:
Kapton substrates bend without breaking, opening doors for wearables, smart labels, and portable sensors.
Any smartphone with a camera can read the data—no special equipment needed.
Imagine communities deploying low-cost air-quality monitors, where volunteers simply scan e-QR codes around their neighborhood to contribute data.
The researchers see plenty of room for improvement:
This work represents a bridge between traditional IoT sensors and next-gen printed electronics. By embedding intelligence into something as simple and universal as a QR code, the team has opened possibilities for:
It’s a prime example of how microfabrication doesn’t just shrink technology—it makes it more accessible, sustainable, and human-friendly.
The University of Pretoria’s demonstration of a microfabricated e-QR code on Kapton shows us a future where printed electronics meet everyday life. By turning QR codes into dynamic, flexible displays, they’ve transformed a familiar technology into a powerful, low-cost tool for sharing real-time information.
Next time you scan a QR code, imagine it’s not just a static link, but a living, glowing window into real-world data.
Microfabrication - The science of making really tiny structures—like circuits and sensors—on a microscopic scale, often using special printing, etching, or laser techniques. Think of it as miniaturized manufacturing.
Printed Electronics - Electronics made by “printing” conductive materials (like silver inks) onto surfaces, instead of traditional silicon chipmaking. It’s like 3D printing, but for circuits! - More about this concept in the article "Revolutionizing Diabetes Care: The 3D-Printed Sensor Changing Glucose Monitoring".
Electronic QR Code (e-QR) - A QR code made of electronic pixels (like LEDs) instead of just ink on paper. These can change in real time, displaying new information that your phone can still scan.
Flexible Substrate - A bendable material (like plastic films or polyimide sheets) that circuits can be built on. Unlike rigid circuit boards, these can twist and flex without breaking.
Kapton - A tough, heat-resistant plastic film often used in electronics. Imagine a super-thin, bendable sheet that can survive high temperatures—perfect for flexible circuits.
Via - Tiny holes drilled into a circuit board that connect different layers together, letting electricity flow between them—like mini “elevators” for electrons.
Fiducial Markers - Small printed reference points used to align different layers of a circuit during manufacturing. Basically, “guide dots” that help keep everything lined up.
LED Matrix - A grid of tiny LEDs arranged in rows and columns, where each LED can turn on or off to create patterns, images, or in this case, a QR code.
IoT (Internet of Things) - A network of everyday objects (sensors, appliances, wearables) that collect and share data online. Your smart watch or smart thermostat? That’s IoT in action. - More about this concept in the article "Digital Twin Boosts Vertical Farming".
Raju, A.E.; Laue, H.E.A.; Joubert, T.-H. Microfabrication of an e-QR Code Sensor Display on a Flexible Substrate. Eng. Proc. 2025, 109, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2025109016
From: University of Pretoria.
