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The First Paper-Based Transistors

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.

3 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. Paper batteries? by Bombula · · Score: 4, Informative

    Maybe they could go with paper batteries? Google "paper batteries" for a hundred other links to the same and related stories/technologies.

    --
    A-Bomb
  2. Not paper transistors dammit by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 5, Informative

    The INTERSTRATE layer is paper now. In a normal FET, the whole thing has a doped silicon substrate functioning as the grid and body, with a (say) metal oxide semiconductor in between as an insulator (interstrate) (MOSFET). They replaced the MOS with paper. It's still a hunk of silicon.

  3. Not the first by Bender_ · · Score: 4, Informative

    The first transistors on paper have been published in 2005:

    http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7387872.html

    There is also a paper by the same authors, which I can not find right now.