Smartkem has reportedly signed a multi-year strategic partnership agreement with FlexiIC to jointly develop a new generation of low-power CMOS sensor technology. The project, which is expected to last for two years, aims to combine Smartkem's organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) technology and n-type oxide TFT technology to advance the application of sensor devices in the field of smart sensors, especially in edge computing for IoT and intelligent systems.
The future of low-power, intelligent signal processing
The core goal of this collaboration is to develop low-power, high-performance CMOS sensor devices that will integrate mixed-signal and digital IP, including circuitry using RISC-V cores. As an open-source instruction set architecture, RISC-V has become a popular choice for next-generation embedded systems due to its flexibility and low cost. In addition, the use of machine learning to optimize signal processing will further improve sensor performance, reduce noise interference, and improve data transmission efficiency, so as to better adapt to the real-time data processing needs of modern smart devices.
Ian Jenks, Chairman and CEO of Smartkem, said: "The collaboration with FlexiIC not only advances the potential of Smartkem technology in large-area, low-power electronics, particularly in the IoT market, but also supports the realization of more environmentally friendly and efficient smart sensor technologies. The global IoT market is expected to grow to approximately $406.234 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.3% from 2024.”
The importance of CMOS architecture in the Internet of Things
For this project, Smartkem opted for a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) architecture, which offers significant advantages over conventional PMOS (Positive Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) architectures. The CMOS architecture not only consumes less power and reduces heat generation at the same performance, but also provides a better noise margin, making it more stable and reliable in complex environments, especially in edge computing and IoT applications. Due to their lower power consumption, CMOS sensors are particularly suitable for IoT devices that require long-term operation and high energy efficiency requirements, such as smart homes, wearables, environmental monitoring sensors, etc.
Figure：Smartkem Signs Multi-year Agreement with Flexiic to Develop a New Generation of CMOS（Image：Compoundsemiconductor）
FlexiIC's innovative sensor platform
Co-CEO of FlexiIC Dr. "Our innovative sensor acquisition platform provides powerful amplification and transmission capabilities for a wide range of sensor applications, enabling them to mitigate noise interference while ensuring efficient data acquisition and processing," said Eloi Ramon. Partnering with Smartkem will provide us with a low-power, customized circuit solution that is critical to the success of foil-based system equipment."
FlexiIC's technology platform focuses on sustainable and environmentally friendly smart system solutions, especially in the field of edge computing. By integrating flexible, organic integrated circuits and sensors using functional organic materials, FlexiIC is committed to advancing short-lived intelligent monitoring systems in healthcare, smart packaging, environmental monitoring, and more. These sensors provide precise monitoring and feedback for temporary applications, greatly improving efficiency and accuracy.
Behind the cooperation project
The launch of the project also requires the approval of the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI), a public entity under the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. CDTI supports projects with high technological content and innovation potential, and is an important driving force for high-tech R&D and industrialization in Spain.
FlexiIC is a leading innovative company founded by organic electronics researchers and chip designers at the Institute of Microelectronics in Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC). The company is focused on providing system-on-chip solutions, especially in the field of edge computing in intelligent systems and IoT applications. Through continuous innovation, FlexiIC is driving the development of single-use electronics, combined with sustainable materials for organic electronics, to provide strong technical support for low-cost, short-life applications.
Future outlook: Driving innovation in the Internet of Things
With the rapid development of IoT technology, the demand for high-efficiency, low-power sensors is also rising dramatically. The collaboration between Smartkem and FlexiIC will provide more powerful hardware support for the IoT and smart systems, especially in smart homes, wearables, industrial automation and environmental monitoring. These sensor devices not only provide lower power consumption and longer battery life, but also have stronger noise immunity and perform well in complex environments.
Through this collaboration, Smartkem and FlexiIC are opening up new areas of application for smart sensor technology for the Internet of Things and other related industries, and contributing to the global Sustainable Development Goals. As the project progresses, it is expected that low-power, intelligent sensor solutions will occupy an increasingly important position in the smart device market in the next few years.
