Flexible Electronics:
Redefining Product Concepts
Sharmishta S, Research Analyst
Technical Insights
November 4, 2008

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
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Electronics Today
Source:www.reghardware.co.uk
Source:www.slipperybrick.com
Source:www.ledwholesalers.com Source:www.lakewoodconferences.com
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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.)
4

Flexible Electronic Devices
Flexible Displays
Flexible RFID Memories
Devices
Sensors
Integrated Circuits
Photovoltaic/ Solar
Cells
Lighting
5

Flexible Electronic Devices – A snapshot
Source: Ghent University Source: Nanoident technologies
6

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
7

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
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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
9

Examples of Applications
Source: www.nist.gov
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Examples of Applications
Source: Plastic electronic GmbH
Source: STELLA Project
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Potential Markets and End- Users
Food Packaging – Military Devices –
flexible sensors, flexible displays,
displays memories, batteries
•Nestle SA FLEXIBLE •Thermo Fischer
•Kraft Foods Inc ELECTRONICS •Lockheed Martin
•Sara Lee Corporation POTENTIAL END
Supply Chain– RFID •Armed Forces
•Kellogg Company USERS
tags, sensors,
•Unilever PLC displays
Medical Equipment – •Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
flexible lab-on-chip •Tesco plc Consumer Electronics –
devices, sensors •London Transport for ticketing flexible display, battery,
•Red Cross - Tracking blood supplies antenna, sensors
•Johnson and Johnson
•GE Healthcare
•Siemens Medical Solutions •Nokia
•Philips Medical Systems •Samsung
•Solvay •Creative
•Pfizer Inc •Apple
•Sony Corporation
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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
13

Adoption Factors – Drivers and Challenges
Technology Drivers
Strong
industry Enables new High- volume Flexibility /
backing applications manufacturing Stretchable
Ease of Device
and markets and low cost and light
Integration weight
potential
Technology Challenges
Design
Lifetime issues challenges –
Manufacturing of organic Lacks Better
Challenges materials established encapsulation
knowledge methods
base
Standardized
testing
Source: Frost & Sullivan
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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
15

Innovative Developments – OLEDs and Electrochromic
Displays
Source: E-ink
Source: E-ink
Source: www.nsf.gov
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Innovative Developments Continued…
Plastic Logic’s
flexible e-Reader
Source: www.pbs.org
Source : FACESS project
Polymer Vision's Nokia’s morph concept
Readius Source: www.nokia.com
Source: Polymer Vision
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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
18

Future Trends- Roadmap for Consumer Electronics
2008 2011 2012 2017 2018
OTFT backplanes Printed sensors & Advanced paper based GUIs
displays in packaging for small computers
B&W e-readers,
demonstrated Emergence of flexible Flexible displays - mp3
color e-reader user interfaces players, cell phones & even
TVs
Electrophoretics/ Higher capacity printed
chromics based Flexible RFID for
memories & batteries
logos, greeting ticketing, internal
Flexible & washable textiles
cards, key fobs and asset tracking
with embedded electronics
low cost devices
Item level RFID tagging
Printed memory Clothes with sensors, Smart packaging
for toys, ID tags, OLEDs integrated with printed
brand protection displays, sensors,
Continuous use antennas to sense quality,
Prototype flexible
flexible batteries tracking along supply chain
OLED displays
Source: Frost & Sullivan
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Technology Roadmap - Healthcare
2008 2012 2018
Printed temperature, Flexible sensors for
pressure sensors and wound care, respiration
sensor arrays and eye, heart, bladder Protective clothing integrated
smart bandages pressure monitors with flexible PV cells, antenna,
sensors and batteries for energy
Emergence of printed harvesting, communications for
Fiber optics and rescue personnel
sensors for lab-on- chip
stretchable electronics
applications
embedded in textiles for
wearable sensors
Flexible sensor Flexible implantable electronics
components for and wireless drug delivery using
Emerging on-skin
wearable heart rate, flexible electronics
sensors, body area
strain and impact networks
monitoring devices
Source: Frost & Sullivan
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Roadmap – Defense (Concepts & Future Applications)
Source: Frost & Sullivan
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Future Trends
Source: USDC material
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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
23

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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