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The First Paper-Based Transistors

Posted by kdawson on from the bend-me-shape-me dept.

Roland Piquepaille found news of research out of Portugal that has resulted in the first paper-based transistors (the original article is less informative than Roland's blog). More precisely, they've made the first field effect transistors (FET) with a paper interstrate layer. According to the research team, such transistors offer the same level of performance as 'state-of-the-art, oxide-based thin film transistors produced on glass or crystalline silicon substrates.' Possible applications include disposable electronics devices, such as paper displays, smart labels, bio-applications or RFID tags. The research will be published in IEEE Electron Device Letters in September.

30 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. Finally by eebra82 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

    --
    Full Tilt
    1. Re:Finally by SlipperHat · · Score: 4, Funny

      Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      Charmin - feel the buzz!

    2. Re:Finally by negRo_slim · · Score: 5, Funny

      Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      Overclock it to 10Mhz for extra warmth on those cold winter mornings...

      --
      On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
    3. Re:Finally by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 1, Funny

      Why bother? I already have 5Hz toilet paper that works just fine. I can't overclock it much, but sometimes it's necessary to underclock it a good bit.

      --
      This guy's the limit!
    4. Re:Finally by Anne_Nonymous · · Score: 3, Funny

      Soon thereafter congress will have to enact another CAN-SPAM act.

    5. Re:Finally by Tumbleweed · · Score: 4, Funny

      > > Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      > Overclock it to 10Mhz for extra warmth on those cold winter mornings...

      Don't overclock the Charmin.

    6. Re:Finally by Azar · · Score: 4, Funny

      The cheap toilet paper my company buys already has some type of hurtz in it. Like sandpaper hurtz.

    7. Re:Finally by DeusExCalamus · · Score: 2, Funny

      Coming soon, the 5 MHz toilet paper.

      I'll stick to the seashells, thanks :)

      --
      "...Sleep comes like a drug in God's country Sad eyes, crooked crosses in God's country..."
    8. Re:Finally by asCii88 · · Score: 1, Funny

      I don't understand the joke.

    9. Re:Finally by jaguth · · Score: 0, Funny

      640mhz is all the megahertz you will ever need.

    10. Re:Finally by glittalogik · · Score: 4, Funny

      New? We've had asswipe overlords for decades centuries pretty much forever, I think.

    11. Re:Finally by Stooshie · · Score: 2, Funny

      Less is more ...

      ... more or less

      --
      America, Home of the Brave. ... .and the Squaw.
  2. Re:Batman by snl2587 · · Score: 1, Funny

    The paper is for the transistors, not snorting cocaine...

  3. Printegrated Circuits by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    There was an article published many years ago in an Australian electronics magazine which described 'printegrated circuits'.

    I forget which year it was, but it was the April issue.

  4. Origami! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Finally, an origrami computer that might be useful!

  5. This is great and everything.... by BitterOldGUy · · Score: 5, Funny
    but this will put even more demand on forests and the farming of trees - they grow too slow to keep up with the potential demand of these products (Just think of how many electronic devices are made and you know that disposable ones are going to sell like hotcakes!).

    What they really need to do is use something very common; like, I don't know, sand. That's assuming they can come up with the technology. I know, I know. I'm dreaming.

    1. Re:This is great and everything.... by roman_mir · · Score: 2, Funny

      I would like my transistors in cherry wood. I know some prefer oak and some go with cedar and, o humanity, some less discriminating folks will be going for the cheaper soft woods, like pine. In any case, I'll take mine well polished, stained and with a good satin finish.

      --
      You can't handle the truth.
    2. Re:This is great and everything.... by verbamour · · Score: 2, Funny

      Two variants I want to see:

      1) Hemp-based transistors (it's good enough for The Constitution)

      2) Flash-paper (nitrocellulose) transistors. That will give that extra incentive not to design circuits that run too hot... Or, the ultimate in hardware-based, tamper-proof, and retributive circuitry.

    3. Re:This is great and everything.... by EchaniDrgn · · Score: 3, Funny

      But then we'll have a dependence on foreign sand. I mean, we can't use our beach sand, or the sand from our national parks...

  6. A heat sink is going to be crucial by ArhcAngel · · Score: 4, Funny

    to make sure the circuit never reaches 451F

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
    1. Re:A heat sink is going to be crucial by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I would have modded Funny.

      that's why you got no mod points

  7. Oh Crap by CranberryKing · · Score: 2, Funny

    Great. Now a ream of paper will have RFID in every sheet. How am I going to print all my Revolution flyers?

  8. out of portugal ? by C0vardeAn0nim0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    some other inventions from portugal:

    - convertible submarine
    - windshield wipers (americans improved them by placing them on the outside)
    - helicopter with ejector seat
    - solar powered flashlight
    .
    .
    .

    ok, i confess. i'm brasilian. couldn't resist joking, mod me down at will

    --
    What ? Me, worry ?
  9. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by TheRealMindChild · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's still a hunk of silicon.

    I didn't know you swung that way. Give me a call later.

    --

    "When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
  10. Re:Not paper transistors dammit by nategoose · · Score: 2, Funny

    It tasted like paper.

  11. Pssh... by iveygman · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...this research isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

  12. Folding by Rui+del-Negro · · Score: 3, Funny

    The same research team also said they would be releasing a CPU (codenamed "Origami") based on these transistors. It's optimised for F@H.

  13. Incompatibilities by ciaran.mchale · · Score: 2, Funny

    Prediction: American, paper-based computers will be printed on Letter paper, but European computers will use A4 paper, thus leading to worldwide incompatibilities.

  14. Re:Batman by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 4, Funny

    But soon the paper will analyze the cocaine as you snort it and if it really good maybe make a phone call or two. Hundred dollar bills phoning home when they are in large stacks... Faraday cage wallets will really be needed then...

    Two twenty's meet in a bar, first twenty says to the second one "I'm from a bank heist last week... waiting for a good signal so I can report myself"

    --
    You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
  15. Re:Batman by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The paper is for the transistors, not snorting cocaine...

    Wait a sec. You mean ... this transistors don't require heavily doped regions?