The Future: A License to Print Gadgets

(NPES International Printing Network 2009-06-19) Devices that employ inkjet-printed elements such as polymer transistors and organic light-emitting diodes were on display at a new research center in Sedgefield, England. "Printed electronics potentially has tremendous advantages in terms of costs--perhaps up to three orders of magnitude cheaper than silicon," notes University of California at Berkeley's Vivek Subramanian. Flexible and more durable electronics can be put in new places, such as bottles. One version of Polymer Vision's Readius prototype e-book reader features a fold-out display, while another version has a screen that is wrapped around the device when not in operation. Printed electronics are also more power-efficient, but further development is required. For instance, the polymer "inks" used to print out displays and other devices will need to be augmented. Also, displays are still only black and white. Spotlighted at the Sedgefield center were colorful patterned wall panels that supply illumination, and an "active dinner table" with decorative displays under each place setting.