Invited speech: Disruptive technologies for the future generation smart systems

Summary form only given. Wearable sensors will enable unprecedented digital wellness and lifestyle applications and stand to revolutionize health(care). This revolution is absolutely necessary because our busy lifestyles, the aging population and the rise of chronic illnesses come with an increasingly unsurmountable financial burden. Imec´s R&D on wireless health patch systems, circuits and algorithms generates the necessary breakthroughs to make wireless health patches truly suitable and truly reliable for everyday life. Another example of disruptive technology for the future generation smart systems is the advent of 3D IC, which provides a way to realize microsystem integration possible. The key in the integration is heterogeneous device technologies combined with advanced logic and memory technologies. Research institutes around the world are exploring revolutionary technologies that drive innovation in the consumer healthcare area. They aim to bring mankind a better life in a sustainable society. But blue-sky research ideation and proof-of-concepts are often a world apart from what enables innovative product development. There is a challenge to take-up to understand and to stimulate the applied research on some of the most promising technologies, and to apply methodologies that reduce the time-to-market of the future generation smart devices.