(editor's note: In my daily treks through the news files of the world I'm amazed at the depth and scope of emerging science technologies! Those of us who can see the bigger picture of our changing world, understand that these are stepping stones towards joining our Galactic community of scientists.
~All my Love, Boo)
Stable Electrodes for Improving Printed Electronics
Imagine owning a television with the thickness and weight of a sheet of paper. It will be possible, someday, thanks to the growing industry of printed electronics. The process, which allows manufacturers to literally print or roll materials onto surfaces to produce an electronically functional device, is already used in organic solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that form the displays of cellphones.
The commercially available polymers can be easily processed from dilute solutions in solvents such as water and methoxyethanol.
“These polymers are inexpensive, environmentally friendly and compatible with existent roll-to-roll mass production techniques,” said Bernard Kippelen, director of Georgia Tech’s Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE). “Replacing the reactive metals with stable conductors, including conducting polymers, completely changes the requirements of how electronics are manufactured and protected. Their use can pave the way for lower cost and more flexible devices.”
