TIU has seen promise in recent months of printed electronics as a new standard for electronic circuitry.  Electronic circuits would be mapped out on a computer and printed onto thin and flexible substrates using traditional (ink-jet or screen) printing methods.  In addition to the promise of thinner, lighter, and more versatile electronic devices, including long-dreamed-of products like self-changing text on paper, printed electronics also has a potential advantage of possibly drastically lowering production costs and augmenting production capacities.  For that promise to be realized, however, certain obstacles with the available materials must be overcome. 

Researchers have recently been interested in the possible use of organic compounds, like those used with much success in OLEDs, for the conductive inks for printed devices.  Thus far, however, the small organic molecules that have been found to reach the conductivity standards of silicon, are very difficult to deposit in a stable, uniform film.  Large molecule organic semiconductors are well-suited to create stable thin films, but do not have nearly the same conductivity of their smaller-molecule counterparts. 

A team from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Seoul National University (SNU) have made inroads on this problem by creating a new type of organic semiconductors that are more stable and easily controlled than existing compounds. In their paper entitled “Structure and properties of small molecule-polymer blend semiconductors for organic thin film transistors”, the team of researchers found a polymer which distributes itself evenly on the top and bottom of a film substrate.  The active region on the bottom of the film signifies a major breakthrough towards large-scale manufacturing.  Also, the researchers have found that their specific blend of polymer and organic semiconductors offers better performance than the organic semiconductor alone.

Thus, companies who are beginning to commercialize printed electronic devices have a great deal to look forward to with regards to the disruptive effects of printed electronics on the larger electronics market in the future.  The development of new conductive materials and their methods of distribution onto substrates in the laboratory will continue to drive down the cost of printed electronics to levels that will completely transform the entire market for electronic devices.  Widespread vetting and funding of the academic research in materials sciences will allow for the printed electronics market to fulfill its potential.