SPEA for Dracula Technologies: Advancing OPV Module Testing

SPEA flying probe testers are at the forefront in testing organic photovoltaic modules in IoT applications

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing how people interact with devices. This explosion of connectivity has created countless opportunities for innovation, enhancing efficiencies in industries ranging from healthcare to agriculture. However, the rapid expansion of the IoT also poses significant challenges, particularly in terms of energy consumption, which limits the original convenience of the IoT.

The IoT is all about creating an interconnected world, where innovative and intelligent devices, embedding sensors and other technologies, interact seamlessly with each other. However, every device needs to be powered to achieve this level of interconnectivity. While this power can have many sources, the most common and simplest source for IoT devices is a traditional battery.

Traditional batteries challenge IoT electronic device manufacturers

If traditional batteries are the simplest answer, why are electronic device manufacturers striving for a battery-less future?

Batteries are a menace to the environment. Not only is their disposal inconvenient, but improper disposal and recycling practices cause significant harm to ecosystems.

Batteries have a limited lifespan. This requires constant replacing or recharging, which can be costly and time-consuming depending on the type of device, how much power it consumes, and how frequently the battery needs to be replaced or recharged. All of this adds up to the maintenance cost of the device.

Batteries limit the miniaturization of electronic devices due to their bulky size. Traditional batteries, particularly lithium-ion types, are often too large to fit into miniature electronic devices. As the demand for smaller and more compact devices increases, the inability to miniaturize batteries effectively limits the overall size reduction of electronic products.

Additionally, the number of connected devices in a network is expected to grow rapidly, so will the number of batteries.

To address the challenges and drawbacks that batteries impose on smart connected devices, large corporations are requiring IoT device manufacturers to provide green solutions that minimize environmental impacts while enhancing efficiency.

Dracula Technologies indoor organic photovoltaic modules are the key to sustainable IoT devices

Innovative technologies, from smart sensors to industrial monitoring devices, are changing the landscape of sustainable Internet of Things (IoT) applications within buildings. Battery-free and eco-friendly energy solutions are shaping a more sustainable future while influencing the investment strategies of electronics device manufacturers.

In this scenario, the solutions proposed by Dracula Technologies offer an innovative approach to energy harvesting and storage, enabling sustainable energy for low-power devices.

Founded with a vision for a more sustainable future where IoT devices operate independently from conventional power sources, the company is at the forefront of enabling innovative solutions without batteries through the integration of organic photovoltaic energy (OPV) modules into electronic devices.

Generating power from low-intensity ambient light, Dracula Technologies OPV modules are characterized by their lightweight and flexible nature allowing for integration into a wide range of applications including IoT devices.

Based on carbon materials, OPV modules are inkjet-printed thin films organized into layers that absorb light and then convert it into charge.

Testing organic photovoltaic modules electrical parameters prevents inconsistencies

Due to their photovoltaic nature and inkjet-printed manufacturing, it is essential that the electrical parameters of the OPV modules, such as voltage, current and short-circuit, Vmax and Imax, are tested prior dispatching to ensure that their performance matches the specifications outlined in the modules datasheets.

As these products are manufactured in any desired shape and in multiple modules per sheet, their testing can pose a significant challenge, particularly when high-volume production and a diverse product mix are involved.

Given the variety of the OPV modules designs, their inkjet characteristics and the increasing production volumes, Dracula Technologies sought alternatives to traditional testing equipment that could accurately and quickly detect defects and identify discrepancies in parameters. To achieve an efficient testing solution, the company partnered with SPEA, a leading supplier of innovative automatic test equipment since 1976.

“One of the main challenges we faced was finding a tester capable of measuring our OPV modules regardless of their design and the module number per sheet. This required us to explore various testing solutions to ensure accurate and consistent results across different product variations.” – explains Mr. Jerome Vernet, VP of Sales at Dracula Technologies – “We needed to overcome the limitations connected to a fixed design and a specific number of modules per sheet. If we wanted to change the module design or the number of modules, we had to adapt our original test solution to the new design. This process involved considerable costs and time to switch from one design to another”.

Capable of combining the benefits of automatic testing, tailored to specific needs of electronic manufacturers, with the advantages of a well-established experience in designing test equipment, this is where SPEA has played a crucial role. Standing out for their unsurpassed throughput performance and for their excellent fault coverage, the SPEA flying probe tester technology has met Dracula Technologies testing needs.

Equipped with high-precision test probes and control software to manage the testing process, this tester is particularly advantageous for Dracula Technologies’ high-mix production and prototype development, as it does not require the creation of a dedicated test fixture for each OPV module design. Instead, the SPEA flying probe tester can quickly accommodate different OPV module layouts, making it a highly flexible and cost-effective test solution.

Featuring a customized test area that generates energy from a light source, the SPEA flying probe tester effectively simulates the conditions that activate the OPV modules. “The tester presents a specific design adapted to the unique characteristics of Dracula Technologies’ products, which differ from its primary application area of electronic boards” – explains Jerome – “The speed of measurements and the ability to create new test programs adapted to the new designs has extremely improved our testing efficiency. Additionally, the SPEA flying probe tester is intuitive and easy to use, making it accessible for our team to operate effectively. The responsiveness of the SPEA technical team is remarkable: they are always ready to assist us with any questions or issues that arise, ensuring smooth operations and minimal downtime” – concludes Jerome.

Powering the future of OPV modules manufacturing without affecting efficiency

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the quest for sustainable power solutions in the IoT is not merely a technical challenge but a moral imperative.

Dracula Technologies is making significant strides in the field of organic photovoltaics (OPV) with its innovative technology, which addresses critical challenges related to energy autonomy, sustainability, and device miniaturization.

The introduction of new OPV module applications along with advancements in production capabilities and enhancements in efficiency, will certainly position Dracula Technologies as a key player in the development of power sources for IoT devices and beyond. “We are in an emerging market with the first large production batches and we see daily new requests coming from the market. The prevailing trend aims to further minimize the size of OPV modules; however, for the existing format, we will need to conduct numerous additional measurements without affecting efficiency” – reveals Jerome “We recognize SPEA as an innovative and reliable partner and we certainly consider SPEA as a key supplier for the future of Dracula Technologies”.

Offering high accuracy and ultra-fast probing capabilities, from simple printed circuit board applications to complex and mixed technology, SPEA testers will continue to ensure optimum test coverage and efficiency.

With a focus on comprehensive testing capabilities, SPEA product portfolio ranges from flying probe testers, known for their high throughput, flexibility and ability to run comprehensive automatic in-circuit test programs, to functional testers equipped for electro-mechanical defects detection, to bed-of-nails testers for high-volume printed circuit board testing.