NFC based Polymer Strain Sensor for Smart Packaging

This paper presents a polymer strain sensor integrated with an NFC tag to detect strain semi-quantitatively. The strain sensor is fabricated using flexible and transparent polymer Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel having conductive polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) as an active material. The sensor was tested with different bending conditions and it was found that the resistance increases with higher bending. A maximum of 3 order change in resistance was observed for ~100 bending. The sensor was finally tested using a custom-developed passive NFC tag having an LED connected in series with the strain sensor and powered from the reader via the NFC antenna in the tag

Technologie RFID a Blochkchain v dodavatelském řetězci

The paper discusses the possibility of combining RFID and Blockchain technology to more effectively prevent counterfeiting of products or raw materials, and to solve problems related to production, logistics and storage. Linking these technologies can lead to better planning by increasing the transparency and traceability of industrial or logistical processes or such as efficient detection of critical chain sites.Příspěvek se zabývá možností kombinace technologií RFID a Blockchain pro účinnější zabránění padělání výrobků či surovin a řešení problémů spojených s výrobou, logistikou a skladováním. Spojení těchto technologií může vést k lepšímu plánování díky vyšší transparentnosti a sledovatelnosti průmyslových nebo logistických procesů, nebo například k efektivnímu zjišťování kritických míst řetězce

A Blockchain-based traceability system in Agri-Food SME: case study of a traditional bakery

In this paper we present a blockchain based system for the supply chain management of a particular Italian bread. Goal of the system is to guarantee a transparent and auditable traceability of the Carasau bread where each actor of the supply chain can verify the quality of the products and the conformity to the normative about the hygienic-sanitary conditions along the chain. To realize this system we relied on the Blockchain and the Internet of Thing technologies in order to provide a trustless environment, in which trust is placed in cryptography, in mathematical operations and on the network, and not in public or private companies. Thanks to the use of digital technologies the system aims to reduce the data entry errors and the risk of tampering. Our system is designed so that along the supply chain, the nodes equipped with several sensors directly communicate their data to Raspberry Pi units that elaborate and transmit them to Interplanetary File System and to the Ethereum Blockchain. Furthermore, we designed ad hoc Radio Frequency Identification and Near Field communication tags to shortly supply the proposed system with information about the products and batches. The dedicated RFID tags robustness during on-bread operation was numerically tested. The system will easily allow end consumers to have a transparent view on the whole journey from raw material to purchased final product and a supervisory authority to perform online inspections on the products’ quality and on the good working practices

Global traceability

The use of Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in supply chain management (SCM) systems was a big source for optimism. However, the expected rapid industry adoption of RFID did not take place. This research explores some of the existing challenges and obstacles to RFID adoption, such as the lack of consistent UHF spectrum regulations for RFID or the absence of standards that promote integration with Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) media. As a conclusion, in this project we suggest some solutions to these challenges in the use of multi-frequency RFID tags that can be read at more that one frequency or novel migration strategies and standards that would help expand the industry.Outgoin

RFID and Consumers' Privacy Protection

In a competitive environment it is advantageous for various subjects to possess information about consumer’s behaviour and preferences. This information can be gathered from the so called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology incorporated, for example, in product packaging and in customer loyalty cards, and can refer to the consumer, purchased products or to a frequency and time of shopping. When stored in databases, this information can be a subject of profiling, data mining and data sharing. The information about the consumer and his/her private life provides an efficient tool for direct and event driven marketing and other means that directly influence consumer’s choices. Furthermore, the RFID technology even allows tracking of a consumer in a specific area. For these reasons RFID represents a threat to consumers´ privacy. The aim of this paper is to discuss whether the current European legislation provides sufficient guarantees to the consumer’s right to privacy in connection with the RFID usage. The paper will also sketch out possible solution of this issue in the future

A systematic literature review on the benefit-drivers of RFID implementation in supply chains and its impact on organizational competitive advantage

Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in managing supply chains has witnessed significant interest in recent years. However, the current understanding of the potential benefits that act as the motivating factors/drivers in implementing RFID technology (benefit-drivers), its link to competitive advantage, is fragmented and scattered across the literature. This formed the motivation of this study which seeks to address this gap in the literature through a systematic literature review. Based on a rigorous screening of the literature (2006–2018), the study develops a comprehensive understanding of the various 1) corporate-driven and 2) customer-driven benefit-drivers from RFID implementation. The “2 C” categorization of benefit-drivers is novel and should provide more impetus for practitioners to leverage from RFID implementation. Further, the link between the benefit-drivers and competitive advantage is understood and proposed in the form of a conceptual framework. Finally, avenues for future research are highlighted. The study findings and the framework provide a good starting point for academics and practitioners to further explore the opportunities in supply chain afforded by RFID

Exploring an open-loop RFID implementation in the automotive industry

This master thesis has been conducted to investigate why and how Plastal in Arendal (PAGO), Sweden have implemented RFID technology. RFID technology has become very popular in recent years (1). It is said to have potential to increase the level of automation (2), reduce the labor levels and to improve the supply chain in areas such as inventory, visibility etc. (3) (see chapter 1.2.1 for more examples). PAGO is one of the first major companies in Sweden that have implemented an open-loop RFID system (see chapter 1.2.3.2) that tag on item level. They are also a supplier of injection-molded and surface-treated plastic to the automotive industry; an industry that is characterized by high level of automation and fierce competition. It is thus very interesting to investigate why and how PAGO implemented RFID technology; did any problem arise? How did they solve them? What where their underlying reasons? To minimize the errors caused by manual updating – resulting in incorrect storage levels – PAGO have implemented a RFID system. The system has 24 RFID gates, divided into seven places: injection molding, entry and exit point of high storage 1, paint shop, entry and exit point of high storage 2 and after the sequencing process. The RFID system will help reduce the effects of entering the wrong quantity at the entry and exit point for high storage 1 and 2. It will also reduce the effects of specifying the wrong color or product. Furthermore, it will also help them verifying that each product is correctly assembled. During the implementation, PAGO encountered some problems with ESD, reading too much or too little, tags becoming partially or completely detached and a long installation time. Most of these problems have been fixed but some of them remain. There exist several reasons why PAGO implemented a RFID system, other than verifying the assembly and minimizing the effect caused by manual updating. One of those is believed to be because of the nature of the company – They only have 8h to sequence deliver the order, high turnover rates with expensive products and highly automated processes. Another reason is that RFID was a solution that solved both of their specified problems, but also supplying them with more features. Other reasons are that it will probably become a demand from Volvo in the future and that the technology is more future proof than any other technology that would have solved their problem; it is for example believed to be the successor of barcode. Major advantages, both visible and hidden, can be achieved with this RFID implementation. More reliable inventory levels could for example reduce the safety stock level, increase the level of automation and reduce the number of incorrectly assembled products sent to Volvo and thus increase their relationship