GSI and Ntera develop smart card modules with NanoChromics

GSI Technologies and Ntera have demonstrated the first hot-laminated display card modules using NanoChromics display (NCD) technology. The product, developed by GSI Technologies, is based on Ntera’s NanoChromics display technology printed on a flexible substrate, and driven by a conventional, off-the-shelf microcontroller chip. It is fully compatible with industry-standard hot-lamination plastic card manufacturing, and was demonstrated in conjunction with a leading smart card manufacturer. Featuring a high contrast display with a white background typical of NCD technology, the fully functional six-digit, seven-segment display card is suited to the emerging powered smart card market. Applications will include One Time Passcodes (OTP), financial credit/debit cards, transportation cards and other stored value cards. 

The NCD displays were printed by GSI Technologies onto the same flexible substrate upon which a microcontroller is attached. This implementation approach, enabled by fully printing the NCD display, eliminates the need to separately make and attach a display to a module.   

‘Through this process, which we refer to as “printegration”, our customers can reduce the number of components and manufacturing steps in products,’ explained David Corr, CEO of Ntera. ‘At scale, the use of printed NanoChromics display technology will result in products with higher levels of quality and lower costs of implementation.' 

Gordon Smith, CTO of GSI Technologies, said: ‘We are just beginning to reap the benefits printing can deliver to advanced electronic products. In demonstrating a printed, single substrate, hot-laminated card module, we are at the forefront of this printing revolution. We are excited about the technology and GSI’s development capabilities to bring these products to market.’ 

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