3D matrix sensor wins British Engineering Excellence Award

Force sensor supplier Peratech has received the Electronic Product of the Year award at the British Engineering Excellence Awards (BEEAs). Presented on 5 October in London, the award recognises the most significant electronic product available commercially since January 2016.

The award was presented to Peratech for its 3D Multi-Touch Matrix sensor, an array of force touch sensors based on the company’s Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) technology. QTC materials change from being an almost perfect insulator to becoming increasingly conductive in proportion to the amount of force applied to them.

The array not only determines position in the X and Y axes, but also adds a third dimension of pressure in the Z axis. The sensors address diverse application requirements in markets ranging from consumer electronics, smart home and domestic appliances to automotive systems, industrial equipment and medical devices.

The thin and flexible QTC sensors can be used above, below or around rigid or flexible displays or under metal, plastic, wood or glass surfaces. They enable a variety of control options, including force-based zoom, scroll and select functions.

The technology eliminates issues with accidental touch and can operate in difficult environmental conditions, including when moisture is present. The sensors work even if the operator is wearing gloves and they can be used with any kind of stylus.

“Peratech is simply one of the most exciting sensor companies around today,” said BEEAs judge Justin Cunningham, editor of Eureka! magazine. “While capacitive touch is finding broad application in a range of consumer and industrial products, Peratech’s matrix sensor adds another dimension to interface technology, and there is an impressive range of potential applications.”

Peratech Development Scientist Sarah Dempsey was also shortlisted for Young Designer of the Year award, though she eventually lost to Rob Hanson from charity Designability. Dempsey is engaged in a range of activities aimed at improving the performance of force-sensing solutions, including formulating new ink components that form the basis of QTC materials. Her work covers everything from tailoring sensor designs to meet customer needs through to developing test methods for evaluating and qualifying components.

“To be shortlisted twice at the BEEAs shows that Peratech is an innovation leader, and our 3D force-sensing solutions have broad applicability,” said Peratech CEO Jon Stark. “I’m very proud of the talented team working here.”