Flexible and Printable Organic Electronics (Printed Electronics Asia 2007)

To promote advanced information technologies and contribute to the creation of new industries necessary for a safe, secure, and comfortable society in the 21st century, the Photonics Research Institute (PRI) is engaged in research and development to realize advanced information and telecommunication systems as well as advanced interface technologies between such systems and the real world, by taking full advantage of the properties of light. Specifically, PRI carries out research in the following three fields; (1) "Photonic information technologies (IT)" where we are developing devices, signal processing, and security technologies for optical communication purposes, (2) "Photonic interface technologies," where we are focusing organic devices for flexible displays and I/O devices, wave-front-designed glass components for optoelectronic information appliances, and (3) "Photonic frontier technologies," where we are pioneering leading-edge photonic technologies, next-generation photonic technologies, and interdisciplinary technologies. Among current research highlights are the ultrafast optical 3R technique (described below), highest-gain-per-layer quantum-dot lasers, printable organic opto-electonic devices and liquid crystal displays driven by these organic devices, micro-structure fabrication of glass optical components for wave-front designing, phase controlling of ultra-short pulse lasers, adaptive optics technology for high-resolution for eyeground cameras.

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), led by President Dr. Yoshikawa, is not a government institution, although funded by Japanese government to large extend. AIST is a rather new research organization established in 2001, however, AIST and its ancestors have been contributing society through continuous advancement in technologies and supports to Japanese industries since 1876.

 

Headquarters of AIST are located in Tsukuba and Tokyo. AIST has over 50 autonomous research units in various innovative research fields, and the units are located at 9 research bases and several sites (smaller than research bases) of AIST all over Japan. About 2500 research scientists (about 2000 with tenure) and well over 3000 visiting scientists, post doctoral fellows and students are working in AIST. About 700 permanent administrative personnel and many temporary staff supports research works of AIST.

 

Missions of AIST are as follow, and AIST members are making efforts to accomplish the missions.