Organic and oxide transistors
Transistors are the fundamental building blocks of electronics. This program explores and develops new technologies for producing thin-film transistors (TFTs) on plastic foils. Such technologies will enable a wide range of new flexible and printed electronics applications.
The program has delivered backplanes for a wide variety of flexible display and non-display applications using both organic as well as oxide semiconductors. The same transistor technology can be integrated with memory to enable novel products such as intelligent food packaging and other smart radio frequency (RF) labels. In recent years, Holst Centre and its partners have demonstrated world-first prototypes of RF identification circuits and microprocessors on plastic.
When choosing which technologies to pursue, the major drivers are performance and functionality. The technology set currently available within the program includes:
- (Low-temperature) gallium-indium-zinc oxide and soluble oxides
- Organic (p- and n-type) semiconductors and dielectrics
- Ferroelectric and piezoelectric polymers
- HF and UHF rectifiers
- Integration with sensors, OLED and organic photodetector materials
- Non-volatile, reprogrammable memories
The program also supports suppliers and developers of electronic materials (semiconductors, dielectrics and metals) by providing materials characterization and process optimization for display, sensing, circuit and processing applications.
Progress in materials and technology is monitored through proof-of-concept demonstrators. Electrical designs include pixels with current drive, high-voltage drive, and image and pressure detection. Peripheral electronics may include multiplexers, shift registers and simple control circuits. Circuit simulation is used to validate system electrical performance.