Flexible Electronics:Redefining Product Concepts

Sharmishta S, Research Analyst

Technical Insights

November 4, 2008

2

Focus Points

� An Introduction to Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Processing Technologies

� Key Applications and Potential Markets

� Adoption Factors for Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Recent Developments

� Technology Trends and Roadmap

� Conclusion

3

Electronics Today

Source:www.reghardware.co.ukSource:www.slipperybrick.com

Source:www.lakewoodconferences.comSource:www.ledwholesalers.com

4

Flexible Electronics – An Introduction

What are the constraints ?

• Product design is dictated by the rigidity of internal circuits –conventional silicon wafers

• Integration of components – battery/ display/ memory

• Intelligent product packaging

Flexible Electronics

• Different Materials - Organics, printed silicon

• Substrates – Polymers, thin metal foils

• Different Processing Technologies – Printing, roll to roll processing

• Allows for flexibility of design

• Puts electronics/ intelligence where conventional silicon is not suitable

(product packages, neural implants etc.)

5

Flexible Electronic Devices

Devices

Flexible Displays

Flexible RFID

Sensors

Photovoltaic/ Solar Cells

Lighting

Memories

Integrated Circuits

6

Flexible Electronic Devices – A snapshot

Source: Ghent University Source: Nanoident technologies

7

Focus Points

� An Introduction to Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Processing Technologies

� Key Applications and Potential Markets

� Adoption Factors for Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Recent Developments

� Technology Trends and Roadmap

� Conclusion

8

Snapshot of Processing Technologies

Fabrication and Processing Techniques

• Inkjet Printing

• Screen, Gravure, Offset and Flexographic Printing

• Vacuum Deposition

• Imprint Lithography

Developments Efforts

• Electronics on Plastic by Laser Release (EpLAr) – Developed as part of the EU FlexiDis project

• Flexible Display Center – Arizona State University

9

Focus Points

� An Introduction to Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Processing Technologies

� Key Applications and Potential Markets

� Adoption Factors for Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Recent Developments

� Technology Trends and Roadmap

� Conclusion

10

Examples of Applications

Source: www.nist.gov

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Examples of Applications

Source: Plastic electronic GmbH

Source: STELLA Project

12

FLEXIBLE

ELECTRONICS

POTENTIAL END

USERS

Food Packaging –

flexible sensors,

displays

•Nestle SA •Kraft Foods Inc•Sara Lee Corporation

•Kellogg Company•Unilever PLC

Medical Equipment –

flexible lab-on-chip

devices, sensors

•Johnson and Johnson •GE Healthcare •Siemens Medical Solutions

•Philips Medical Systems•Solvay

•Pfizer Inc

Military Devices –

flexible displays,

memories, batteries

•Thermo Fischer•Lockheed Martin

•Armed Forces

Consumer Electronics –

flexible display, battery,

antenna, sensors

•Nokia

•Samsung•Creative•Apple

•Sony Corporation

Supply Chain– RFID

tags, sensors,

displays

•Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.•Tesco plc•London Transport for ticketing

•Red Cross - Tracking blood supplies

Potential Markets and End- Users

13

Focus Points

� An Introduction to Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Processing Technologies

� Key Applications and Potential Markets

� Adoption Factors for Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Recent Developments

� Technology Trends and Roadmap

� Conclusion

14

Te

ch

no

log

y D

rivers

Tec

hn

olo

gy C

hall

en

ges

Strong industry backing Ease of Device

Integration

High- volume manufacturing and low cost

potential

Manufacturing Challenges

Design challenges –

Lacks established knowledge

base

Better encapsulation

methods

Lifetime issues of organic materials

Enables new applications and markets

Flexibility / Stretchable

and light weight

Adoption Factors – Drivers and Challenges

Standardized testing

Source: Frost & Sullivan

15

Focus Points

� An Introduction to Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Processing Technologies

� Key Applications and Potential Markets

� Adoption Factors for Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Recent Developments

� Technology Trends and Roadmap

� Conclusion

16

Innovative Developments – OLEDs and ElectrochromicDisplays

Source: E-ink

Source: E-ink

Source: www.nsf.gov

17

Innovative Developments Continued…

Plastic Logic’s

flexible e-ReaderSource: www.pbs.org

Nokia’s morph conceptSource: www.nokia.com

Polymer Vision's

ReadiusSource: Polymer Vision

Source : FACESS project

18

Focus Points

� An Introduction to Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Processing Technologies

� Key Applications and Potential Markets

� Adoption Factors for Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Recent Developments

� Technology Trends and Roadmap

� Conclusion

19

2008 2012 2018

OTFT backplanes

B&W e-readers,

demonstrated

color e-reader

Electrophoretics/

chromics based

logos, greeting

cards, key fobs and

low cost devices

Printed memory

for toys, ID tags,

brand protection

Prototype flexible

OLED displays

Printed sensors &

displays in packaging

Emergence of flexible

user interfaces

Flexible RFID for

ticketing, internal

asset tracking

Clothes with sensors,

OLEDs

Continuous use

flexible batteries

Advanced paper based GUIs

for small computers

Flexible displays - mp3

players, cell phones & even

TVs

Higher capacity printed

memories & batteries

Flexible & washable textiles

with embedded electronics

Item level RFID tagging

Smart packaging

integrated with printed

displays, sensors,

antennas to sense quality,

tracking along supply chain

2011 2017

Future Trends- Roadmap for Consumer Electronics

Source: Frost & Sullivan

20

2008 2012 2018

Printed temperature,

pressure sensors and

sensor arrays and

smart bandages

Emergence of printed

sensors for lab-on- chip

applications

Flexible sensor

components for

wearable heart rate,

strain and impact

monitoring devices

Flexible sensors for

wound care, respiration

eye, heart, bladder

pressure monitors

Fiber optics and

stretchable electronics

embedded in textiles for

wearable sensors

Protective clothing integrated

with flexible PV cells, antenna,

sensors and batteries for energy

harvesting, communications for

rescue personnel

Flexible implantable electronics

and wireless drug delivery using

flexible electronicsEmerging on-skin

sensors, body area

networks

Technology Roadmap - Healthcare

Source: Frost & Sullivan

21

Roadmap – Defense (Concepts & Future Applications)

Source: Frost & Sullivan

22

Future Trends

Source: USDC material

23

Focus Points

� An Introduction to Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Processing Technologies

� Key Applications and Potential Markets

� Adoption Factors for Flexible Electronics

� Snapshot of Recent Developments

� Technology Trends and Roadmap

� Conclusion

24

Conclusion

• Flexible electronics would be a potentially disruptive field in the coming years in applications like consumer electronics, healthcare, lighting etc.

• Technologies have the backing of leading industry corporations like Honeywell, DuPont, Kodak, Hewlett Packard, Merck and BASF

• Focus areas for development are:

• Development of value chains

• Improvement and establishment of manufacturing technologies

• Building awareness among potential end-user segments

• Improving materials lifetime and performance

• Improving expertise and knowledge creation

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