Printable electronics: flexibility for the future

• Published in: Physica status solidi. A, Applications and materials science Vol. 206; no. 4; pp. 588 - 597
• Main Authors: Leenen, Mark A. M., Arning, Volker, Thiem, Heiko, Steiger, Jürgen, Anselmann, Ralf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.04.2009; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: 72.80.Le; 77.55.+f; 85.30.Tv; 89.20.Bb; Applied sciences; Electronic equipment and fabrication. Passive components, printed wiring boards, connectics; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Transistors; Field effect transistor; Printed circuit; Flexible structure; Flexibility; Cost lowering; Organic electronics
• ISSN: 1862-6300; 1862-6319
• DOI: 10.1002/pssa.200824428

Printed electronics is an emerging technology with huge potential. Market studies predict a multi‐billion dollar market size within less than 5 years. Due to its compatibility with flexible substrates and low‐cost fabrication, printed electronics is able to bring electronic functionality to markets unfit for rigid and expensive silicon electronics. Key to its success are innovative printing technologies and high‐quality material systems, engineered for specific device applications. Printed electronics is a complex multidisciplinary research area, with still a number of fundamental problems to be solved before the technology can grow to its full potential. Evonik Industries is involved in the development of printed electronics through its unique science‐to‐business concept. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)