Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)

Flexible e-paper replaces office printer paper

Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a nonprofit research center has developed a highly flexible electronic paper that's both re-writable and re-usable, and doesn't require electricity to retain the screen image. Licensing talks are already underway with ChangChun Plastics who plan to begin pilot production of a product next year.

Widening government support for printed electronics

This year, the world's largest event on printed electronics, "printed Electronics USA" will reflect the widening government support for printed electronics. Beyond the burgeoning programs at universities and government research centers, this is particularly evident in military and electric vehicle work. The US Army reflects this in two presentations. One is an overview of materials printing capabilities and prototype development for US Army applications and the other concerns direct write approaches to nanoscale electronics.

Paper electronics ready for prime time

The term paper electronics refers to electronic and electric circuits printed onto paper - increasingly both at the same time. Paper electronics has its origins in the screen printing of electrodes onto battery separators for cylindrical batteries and it has been used for conductors and sensors in such things as T-Ink toys and novelties.

Electric vehicles in Taiwan - Kymco and Pihsiang

70% of the world's mobility scooters for the disabled - three and four wheel sit-on vehicles - are made in China by about 30 companies.

Taiwan goes up market with EVs

Taiwan makes electric bicycles but mainly with most of the added value being in China, often by collaboration, in joint ventures with Chinese manufacturers.

Summaries from the AIMCAL and IPC events

Last week IDTechEx presented at two events in the US on printed electronics. Here we bring you the highlights of some of the discussions and presentations that took place.

Progress in Taiwan: e-Readers and developments at ITRI

IDTechEx recently visited Taiwan. In 2007, Taiwan's IC industry was $47 billion and its flat panel display industry was $34.36 billion. Leveraging this, it will be a formidable player in printed electronics.

Nano ePrint developing printed nano-transistors in zinc oxide

Nano ePrint, formerly Plastic ePrint, the 2006 spin out from Professor Aimin Song's group at Manchester University in the UK, continues the development of its remarkable single layer transistor printing system.

Progress with electrowetting displays

Electrowetting is a proven process, used for focus mechanisms in cameras and cellphones. As a display technology, it is gaining increased attraction due its excellent colour range, high contrast and versatile operation mode capability.

OE-A Unveils New Roadmap and Demonstrators

The updated and expanded third edition of the OE-A Roadmap for organic and printed electronics offers an overview of future product generations as well as requirements for materials and technologies.

Progress towards p-type metal oxide semiconductors

In the last few years there has been increasing work on printed Zinc Oxide (ZnO) inorganic semiconductors. However, the materials developed have been used to demonstrated n-type transistors, but p-type transistors have not been commercially available. There are now two organizations that IDTechEx is aware of, and many more working on the topic, claiming p-type ZnO transistors are possible with reproducible results.

All eyes on printed electronics

Analysts see printed electronics rising exponentially to around $300 billion in twenty years' time, with demand for conductive inks alone reaching several billion dollars yearly five years from now.

IDTechEx Review: Flexible Displays Conference Phoenix Jan 21-24 Part 1

IDTechEx attended the recent Flexible Displays Conference in Phoenix. Read our review here - part 1.

New direction for printed electronics in 2008

The money spent on printed and potentially printed electronics doubled in 2007, as did the number of organisations participating.

Enthusiasm for New Printed Electronics Conference in Tokyo

IDTechEx conferences on Printed Electronics in the USA and Europe are highly regarded. By popular request, the company is now staging an annual Printed Electronics Asia conference and exhibition in Tokyo September 10-11. The title is carefully chosen because both organic and inorganic electronics have a great future. It is therefore best to explore all the possibilities and achievements.