The rise of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has revolutionized industries such as retail, logistics, and healthcare, offering improved tracking, inventory management, and real-time monitoring of goods and services. However, the environmental impact of single-use RFID tags, which are typically discarded after a single use, has raised growing concerns. Researchers at the University of Glasgow have taken a significant step toward alleviating this issue by developing a new form of sustainable wireless tag that eliminates the need for microchips, which are a major component in traditional RFID systems. Their innovative solution could potentially reshape the future of tracking and sensing technologies across multiple industries while significantly reducing electronic waste.
A New Approach to Wireless Sensing: Chipless Tags
The core innovation of the University of Glasgow’s research lies in the development of a chipless wireless tag system that functions without the need for microchips. Traditional RFID tags, which are widely used in retail and supply chain management, are typically made of microchips, antennas, and other components that allow them to store and transmit data. These tags are inexpensive but become a source of environmental harm when disposed of after use. They often end up in landfills without being properly recycled, contributing to the growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste).
Instead of relying on microchips, the new system developed by the Glasgow engineers uses inexpensive coils and a sensing material made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a type of silicon rubber, combined with carbon fibers. These materials are not only lightweight and flexible but also cheap and widely available, making them an ideal option for creating environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional RFID tags.
The coils in the new tags, which are smaller than the ones typically found in credit cards, are designed to absorb electromagnetic signals from a hand-held reader. By using electromagnetic waves to transmit information, the system eliminates the need for a power source or microchip within the tag itself, thus reducing the overall environmental footprint of the technology.
Smart Sensing: Temperature Monitoring and Beyond
In addition to its primary function of identifying objects, the new wireless tag system can also measure temperature in real time. This feature is especially valuable in industries such as food safety and healthcare, where monitoring conditions like temperature is crucial. For example, these tags can help retailers and supply chain managers ensure that perishable items are stored and transported under optimal conditions, reducing food waste and the risk of foodborne illnesses.
The temperature range of the tags, tested between 20°C and 110°C, is wide enough to cover most food safety requirements as well as medical applications. The tags react quickly to changes in temperature, with a rapid response time that allows them to capture even small fluctuations in temperature. This quick response could be crucial for sensitive medical supplies such as vaccines, which require strict temperature controls.
The tag system also offers the advantage of being read by inexpensive, hand-held wireless devices that cost less than £100. This is a key innovation, as many existing chipless technologies often require specialized, expensive equipment for reading the data, limiting their commercial appeal. In contrast, the University of Glasgow’s technology is designed to be both affordable and easy to deploy, making it a practical option for a wide range of industries.
Moreover, the tags are capable of multiplexed readings, meaning multiple tags can be read at once, providing data from several sensors simultaneously. This is an important feature for applications such as supply chain management, where numerous items need to be tracked and monitored at the same time. The system has been shown to function effectively even at varying distances from the reader, increasing its flexibility and adaptability in real-world environments.
The Potential of Smart Packaging and Beyond
Beyond food safety and medical applications, the new tags could also play a critical role in the development of smart packaging. In the future, these tags could be integrated into packaging materials to measure factors such as pH, humidity, and other environmental conditions. This could provide retailers and consumers with real-time information about the condition of products, particularly food items. If food is at risk of spoiling or carrying harmful bacteria, the tags could send alerts, helping to reduce waste and improve food safety standards.
In addition, the lightweight and flexible nature of the tags opens up opportunities for use in healthcare and smart clothing. For example, these tags could be embedded in wearable health devices, such as smartwatches or fitness trackers, to unobtrusively monitor a wearer’s vital signs, including body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. This could be particularly valuable for elderly individuals or patients with chronic health conditions who require constant monitoring.
Sustainability and Scalability: A Green Alternative to RFID Technology
A key advantage of this new technology is its sustainability. The researchers are focused on reducing electronic waste by developing tags that do not rely on the microchips typically found in RFID systems. RFID chips, which are often single-use, contribute significantly to the growing problem of e-waste. According to some estimates, more than 10 billion RFID tags are produced each year, the majority of which are disposed of after their brief use. With the new chipless tags, the researchers hope to minimize the environmental impact of these devices by providing a more sustainable alternative.
The cost-effectiveness and simplicity of the manufacturing process are also key advantages of the new technology. The materials used in the tags—PDMS and carbon fibers—are widely available, and the process for manufacturing the tags is scalable and relatively straightforward. This means that the technology could be produced in large quantities at a low cost, increasing its potential for widespread adoption in industries such as retail, logistics, healthcare, and more.
Dr. Wagih’s Insights on the Research
Dr. Mahmoud Wagih, a lecturer at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering and the corresponding author of the study, emphasized the importance of developing chipless wireless sensing tags. He noted that temperature monitoring is especially critical in industries like food safety and medicine, and that the new chipless tags could offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to the limitations of traditional RFID sensors. According to Dr. Wagih, reducing electronic waste and costs associated with RFID systems makes this technology a promising development for a wide range of industries.
Dr. Benjamin King, another researcher from the University of Glasgow, highlighted the scalability and affordability of the new technology. The combination of cheap materials and a simple manufacturing process makes these tags accessible to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large corporations. The researchers hope that the technology will eventually help reduce the environmental impact caused by the widespread use of traditional, single-use RFID tags.
A Greener Future for Wireless Sensors
In conclusion, the new chipless wireless tags developed by the University of Glasgow’s researchers represent a promising solution to the environmental challenges posed by traditional RFID systems. By eliminating the need for microchips and relying on sustainable materials, these tags could play a significant role in reducing e-waste, making them a valuable tool for industries looking to adopt greener technologies.
With the potential to monitor conditions such as temperature, humidity, and pH, these tags could also revolutionize the way we track and measure products across various sectors, from food safety to healthcare. As the demand for more sustainable technologies continues to grow, the development of chipless wireless tags could mark the beginning of a new era in environmentally friendly and cost-effective monitoring systems.
Reference: Benjamin King et al, Large‐Area Conductor‐Loaded PDMS Flexible Composites for Wireless and Chipless Electromagnetic Multiplexed Temperature Sensors, Advanced Science (2025). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202412066