Printed and Thin Film Transistors and Memory

Remarkable capabilities
The new transistors can be deposited on low cost flexible substrates such as PET and PEN film, aluminium or stainless steel foil. As yet, they are much larger than today’s silicon transistors but they can be one hundredth of the cost, thinner and lighter in weight. Every one can be made differently if required. In other words hard wired programming for a batch size of one is viable. Small runs and redesigns are still very low cost, in stark contrast to the situation with traditional transistors. Some are totally transparent. For example, proponent 3T Technologies in the UK calls itself the “Transparent electronics company”. Some are much more stable than amorphous silicon, even working for years without protection from the elements. Some will be stretchable and even biodegradable and made on paper thanks to Abo Akademi and Helsinki University in Finland, ACREO and Linkoping University in Sweden and others.