The Plastic Electronics Revolution (Printed Electronics 2004)

Plastic Electronics is at the heart of an industry revolution that will see new printed transistors at the heart of new products such as flexible displays, x-ray backplanes and RFID tags. In this presentation we will talk about the market opportunities and look at the reasons why this technology enables these new products. We will also look at future methods for making TFTs with sub 100nm channel lengths and the implications for TFT performance and market opportunities that this will bring. We will also discuss the issues that the industry faces in moving to volume manufacturing and makes estimates as to when this will happen.

Dr John Mills has over 7 years of management level experience in research and development businesses. Before joining Plastic Logic, he was the Director of Development for the combined Commercial Printing and Product Identification divisions of Domino Printing Sciences plc. He has a PhD in physics from the Defence Research Agency on Computer Modelling of Semiconductor Devices and a first degree in physics from the University of East Anglia.

Plastic Logic was founded in 2000 to develop and exploit new technology and processes that combine the power of electronics with the pervasiveness of printing. The company has a growing portfolio of patents based on inkjet printing of active electronic circuits using advanced plastic materials. The company's technology has the potential to radically change the economics of key segments of the semiconductor industry. Capital costs will be significantly lower than for silicon by eliminating conventional photolithography, vacuum processing and high temperatures. The technology will greatly simplify manufacturing large area electronics and flexible substrates.

 

Plastic Logic is a spinout from the University of Cambridge and is privately held. With over 30 employees, it is headquartered in state-of-the-art clean room, labs and office on the Cambridge Science Park - the UK's premier high tech hotbed.