In this episode, Steve Davis sits down with Michael Muchin, Business Director at Avery Dennison Medical, to explore the complexities of wearable medical devices and stick-to-skin adhesives. Michael shares insights into the human factors that influence adhesive performance (such as skin type, age, activity level, and placement on the body) and explains why there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The conversation covers misconceptions designers often have, the importance of testing, and how Avery Dennison guides design teams through early development with tailored sample kits and wear study protocols.

The episode also breaks down the construction of wearable adhesives, including the skin layer, tie layer, and overpatch materials. Michael defines key adhesive metrics like tack, shear, and peel, and explains how they influence design decisions based on device weight and placement. He emphasizes the role of the tie layer in bonding different materials and the need for customization depending on application requirements. Throughout the discussion, Michael highlights Avery Dennison’s collaborative approach to helping customers validate and scale their designs effectively.

In this episode, we chat with Harald Breivik, CEO of Condalign, a technology company based in Oslo, Norway, that focuses on developing and commercializing conductive materials. We delve into the collaboration between Condalign and Tapecon, highlighting their conductive products and technology.

We explore the core technology behind Condalign, which involves a patented process to manufacture conductive films with aligned particles. These films can be used for both thermal and electric conductivity, with applications in bonding electronic components and heat transfer. Harald shares insights into the technical advantages of Condalign's conductive film over traditional conductive epoxy, emphasizing its quick assembly and bonding capabilities on heat and pressure-sensitive materials.

In this episode, we chat with Ken, Head of Growth and Innovation at Covestro, a leading company in the development of polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) products. We delve into Covestro's rich history, from its origins as part of Bayer to its expansion through strategic acquisitions in Europe and North America.

We explore the unique properties and versatile applications of TPU, highlighting its use in inflatables, medical devices, bulletproof glazing, and advanced wound dressings. Ken shares insights into Covestro's ongoing innovation efforts in the printed flexible electronics market and their collaborative approach with partners to develop and demonstrate TPU applications.