Charged Opportunities In Printing Electronics
Lisa Cross -- Graphic Arts Online, 12/17/2008 5:18:00 AM
Printing electronics moves closer to mainstream production, as partnerships leading to low-cost volume manufacturing and prototypes of market applications printed on digital presses are unveiled. HP and the Flexible Display Center at Arizona State
University announced the first prototype of affordable, flexible electronic displays (shown). Flexible displays are paper-like computer displays made almost entirely of plastic. Popular applications for the technology could include electronic paper and signage. The disaplays were created with HP's Self-Aligned Imprint Lithography (SAIL) technology, which enables the fabrication of thin film transistor arrays on a flexible plastic material in a low-cost, roll-to-roll manufacturing process. This allows for more cost-effective continuous production, rather than batch sheet-to-sheet production
Soligie, a unit of printing giant Taylor Corp., formed a partnership with Blue Spark Technologies, a maker of printed batteries, to market and develop Blue Spark's thin battery technology and Soligie's printed electronics capabilities. The companies anticipate the agreement will lead to a manufacturing collaboration for roll-to-roll volume production of Blue Spark batteries.
"Soligie is excited about working with Blue Spark to develop the many market opportunities for a robust, thin and flexible power source,” says Matt Timm, Soligie president. By integrating Blue Spark's patented power technology into Soligie's growing toolbox of printed electronics technologies, functional and flexible smart products such as labels, medical patches, security and access cards can become a reality in high volumes."
Minneapolis-based Soligie also entered into an agreement with Swedish research institute Acreo to develop and manufacturer its printed display technology, PaperDisplay.
The PaperDisplay products, based on Acreo's patented electrochromic paper electronics technology, will be manufactured using Soligie's proprietary web-based printed electronics production processes. PaperDisplay can be printed on either paper or plastic substrates, and then creased, bent and folded without affecting the display function. Once the display is activated, it takes only a small current to keep it updated, says Acreo. PaperDispaly applications include disposable indicators, smart labels, medical patches, packaging, novelties and greeting cards.
"With Solgie's expertise on developing, integrating and manufacturing printed electronics technologies into high volume applications,” Leif Ljungqvist, Acreo VP says, “we believe our collaboration will allow many brand holders to add value to their products."
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