Bayer: Science For A Better Life - research

Plastics for RFID technology

A memory for things

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The changing-room mirror of the future (image 2) could give customers information on available colors and sizes, as well as care instructions. It‘s all made possible by an RFID tag sewn into the garment. Current models can already do the job, like the one stuck to the laptop of Bayer researcher Ramesh Pisipati, Head of the global RFID team at Bayer MaterialScience.

In global trading, effective logistics is essential. It will soon be possible to trace the flow of goods on every step of the way from the production site to the shop counter. To this end, both containers on ships and milk cartons will be equipped with what are known as RFID chips, as will electronics equipment, car tires and designer textiles. These “digital memories” contain information about the product’s origin, destination and shelf life.

Radio chips on every milk carton
At present, however, the market for RFID applications is developing slowly: conventional materials are still too expensive to allow every piece of packaging to be economically tagged with these high-tech labels. An international team of scientists from Bayer MaterialScience is therefore working on more cost-effective materials. Find out about the radio chips of the future.