Idea

State of the art data transfer between products and logistic systems or the supermarket checkout is characterised by the proximity to the reader system (bar code) or the use of cost-intensive tags which contain a silicon chip. For simplification of the data transfer processes and reduction of costs the development of a cost-effective electronics enabling reading over a large distance is necessary. Polymer field-effect transistors and integrated circuits (IPCs) based thereon open the way towards a new kind of electronics, which enables the low-cost production of simple electronic functionalities. The PFETs consists of a semiconducting and an insulating polymer layer and a conducting polymer which forms the electrodes. Based on a cost-effective high-volume processing techniques, including reel-to reel laser patterning of electrodes, we can produce source and drain electrodes with channel lengths down to 10 µm. This is possible on various substrates like flexible plastic foils, glass, ceramics or paper.

Benefit for costumers

The benefit for costumers is the attractive cost structure (some Cent per tag) and the readability over large distances. This enables the rationalization of logistic processes by increasing the efficiency and reducing the number of working steps. An additional advantage of the PFET technology is that it can be applied to a variety of substrates. This, together with its high productivity, enables the application in new market segments, which cannot be covered by conventional electronics. Moreover, polymer electronics is environmentally friendly due to the low-temperature production processes and easy recycling.

State of the art

The basic processes have been developed. Next steps are the development of costumer specific circuits and up-scaling of the processes.

Mr. Prof. Dr. Klaus Heinemann
Head of the department Physical Research and Functional Polymer Systems
phone: 0049 3672 / 379 230
fax:  0049 3672 / 379 379
email:  heinemann(a)titk.de

Thuringian Institute of Textile
and Plastics Research
Breitscheidstraße 97
07407 Rudolstadt
Germany
email: info(a)titk.de
phone: 0049 3672 / 379 0
fax:  0049 3672 / 379 379