The future of plastic optoelectronics

Printed electronics, a technology based on a new class of organic semiconductors that can be processed into thin films using conventional printing techniques, has been the subject of active research and development over the past decades. A range of solid-state devices, including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), field-effect transistors, photodiodes, and so lar cells have been demonstrated with this new class of mate rials. Due to their ability to be processed at low temperature, over large areas, at low cost, organic semiconductors have experienced an accelerated development in recent years and have the potential to spawn a new generation of products with thin and flexible form factors.