Shares of SmartKem, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMTK) experienced a notable surge today, climbing 8.89% to $4.36 at the latest check. The surge comes after a groundbreaking multi-year contract with FlexiIC, a pioneer in flexible integrated circuit design, was announced. The development of next-generation CMOS technology for smart sensors has advanced significantly with this collaboration.
Developing Flexible CMOS for Intelligent Sensors
To launch a cutting-edge initiative, SmartKem and FlexiIC want to use grant financing from Spain’s Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI). In order to develop low-power CMOS-enabled sensor devices, the project will use SMTK’s n-type oxide TFT and organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) technologies.
It is anticipated that these cutting-edge gadgets would integrate digital and mixed-signal intellectual assets, such as RISC-V CPUs and machine learning (ML). Such advancements promise enhanced signal processing, vital for modern sensor applications.
Promoting Innovation in IoT
The partnership is in line with the rising need for Internet-of-things (IoT) technologies, which are expected to cost $4,062.34 billion by 2032 and rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.3% from 2024.
By employing CMOS architecture, the project highlights significant advantages such as lower power consumption, improved noise margins, reduced heat generation, and superior scalability compared to alternative designs. These attributes position SmartKem and FlexiIC at the forefront of IoT-compatible electronics innovation.
Expanding Applications of Flexible Electronics
If successful, the project is anticipated to showcase the adaptability of SmartKem’s technology in various domains, including biosensors, optical sensors, chemical sensors, and item-level tracking.
FlexiIC’s advanced sensor acquisition platform offers robust amplification and transmission capabilities, effectively mitigating noise interference while ensuring affordability and eco-friendliness. This collaboration aims to deliver system-in-foil devices with custom circuits that enable rapid design-to-fabrication turnaround.
A Strategic Leap Forward
SmartKem views this initiative as a validation of its OTFT technology’s potential in enabling low-power, large-area electronics for the next generation. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing flexible electronics, solidifying SMTK and FlexiIC’s roles as pioneers in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
