Ultra-Low-Cost Printed Electronics

Abstract

Ultra-low-cost printed electronics seek to reduce the manufacturing cost of electronics with less expensive, all-additive printing methods that conventional silicon manufacturing cannot replicate. But, in order to print these electronics, there is a trade-off in performance. Despite this, there are several applications for low-cost printed electronics including radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, electronic sensors, displays, smart cards, packaging, and printed circuit boards (PCB). In this work, inkjet and gravure printing are used to fabricate electronic devices. Particular emphasis is placed on inkjet printing. Based on performance requirements for the above applications, suitable electronic materials for printing are examined, including a soluble gold nanoparticle ink for metallization, printable organic dielectrics including polyimide and PVP, and a high performance pentacene precursor semiconductor ink. All of these materials have plastic substrate compatible activation temperatures ( 500 kHz, for the discussed applications is proposed.