Printed Electronics: Thinner, Lighter, Rollable Electronic Devices
Printed electronics is a fascinating technology; electronic circuits can be fabricated with printing technology. Until now, electronic devices have been fabricated on materials like silicon and glass that are hard and heavy. But with printing technology, we will be able to make thinner, lighter electronic devices that can bend without breaking. Examples include sensors that stick to your skin or displays you can roll up and carry around with you.
The main characteristics of printed electronics - thinness and lightness - are beneficial to all kinds of industrial devices. It is a huge advantage for pressure sensors and proximity sensors to be placeable in tiny openings and make measurements in such places.
Other characteristics of printed electronics - bendable and rollable - are likely to be needed for future displays in a wide variety of applications. Displays hat can be bent or dropped and not break will assist the progress of ecological IT.
Printed electronics is the technology to make various electronic components by printing techniques. To fabricate semiconductor devices with printing, it is necessary to synthesize ink including functional materials and apply an appropriate printing method. AIST is developing screen-offset printing and other new technologies in order to form fine conductive patterns that are not possible with conventional printing methods.