Printable electronics: Flexibility for the future

Abstract

Printed electronics is an emerging technology with huge potential. Market studies predict a multi-billion dollar market size within less than 5 years. Due to its compatibility with flexible substrates and low-cost fabrication, printed electron-ics is able to bring electronic functionality to markets unfit for rigid and expensive silicon electronics. Key to its success are innovative printing technologies and high-quality material systems, engineered for specific device applications. Printed electronics is a complex multidisciplinary research area, with still a number of fundamental problems to be solved before the technology can grow to its full potential. Evonik Indus-tries is involved in the development of printed electronics through its unique science-to-business concept. © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.