Reel-to-reel manufacturing of polymer electronics for low-cost applications

Polymer electronics is expected as an additional technology for flexible systems, which can not be reached by common semiconductor industry due to cost reasons. Advantageous use of polymer circuits are identified in applications, where simple electronic functions have to be realized at very low cost and in high volume. The cost requirements of polymer electronic imply, that for manufacturing also very cost-effective processes must be used. Hence reel-to-reel manufacturing with endless substrates of foil is a very valuable method to fulfill the challenging cost demands of cheap flexible systems. In this work basic results for processing the different layers, necessary to build up an integrated polymer circuit, are used to develop reel-to-reel compatible processes. UV lithography, blading of thin layers and screen printing methods are used for the fabrication of flexible polymer electronics on rolls of foil.