New Report on Inorganic and Composite Printed Electronics

DUBLIN, Ireland /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Inorganic and Composite Printed Electronics 2008-2018" report to their offering.

The report is suitable for all companies developing or interested in the opportunity of printed or thin-film electronics materials, manufacturing technologies, or complete device fabrication and integration. It looks at inorganic technologies beyond conventional silicon for semiconductors, conductors, displays, photovoltaics, and much more. Company profiles and forecasts are given.

The future $300 billion market for printed electronics is emerging via thin film electronics. The contribution of organic materials to this is greatly publicized, and it has attracted over 1000 participants already. However, the best devices being developed usually rely on inorganic or combined inorganic/organic technology that is little publicized. The more select groups developing these inorganic materials and devices have a great future.

It is often argued that the inorganic options are interim because the progress is coming to an end whereas organics are "future proof." Nothing could be further from the truth. For conductors with vastly better conductance and cost, for the best printed batteries, for quantum dot devices, and for transistor semiconductors with ten times the mobility, look to the new inorganics. That is the emerging world of new nanoparticle metal and alloy inks that are magnitudes superior in cost, conductivity, and stability, such as the flexible zinc oxide–based transistor semiconductors, working at ten times the frequency and with best stability and life, along with many other inorganic materials. Read "the world's only report that pulls all this together in readable form."

Detailed Forecasts
In 2008, it is found that the amount spent on inorganic electronic components and inorganic materials for composite components will be $861 million—more than that spent on organic electronics. Much of this is in fairly mature markets—metal flake ink used for conductors in heated windscreens, membrane keyboards and circuit boards, and disposable sensors for the multi-billion glucose sensor labels sold yearly. However, also making an impact in 2008 in this figure are electrophoretic, electroluminescent, and electrochromic displays; laminar batteries; and thin-film photovoltaics, such as CIGS and CDTe devices.

In 2008 inorganic semiconductors will begin to be sold by companies such as Kovio for RFID tags, being able to perform to existing RFID tag standards, thanks to much higher mobilities than organic semiconductors.

It is found that, in 2018, of a total $46.94 billion market (which includes printed and thin-film displays, logic, memory, photovoltaics, power, and sensors), the amount spent on inorganic components as a whole or in composites with organics will be approximately 49.3%, or $23.15 billion. This highlights the importance of inorganic printed electronics and the opportunity for companies to be involved.

With over 135 tables and figures, this report critically compares the options, the trends, and the emerging applications. It is the "first in the world to comprehensively cover this exciting growth area." The emphasis is on technology basics, commercialization, and the key players. This report is suitable for all companies developing or interested in the opportunity of printed or thin film electronics materials, manufacturing technologies, or complete device fabrication and integration.

Technologies
The report considers inorganic printed and thin film electronics for displays, lighting, semiconductors, sensors, conductors, photovoltaics, batteries, and memory, "giving detailed company profiles not available elsewhere." The coverage is global, with companies from East Asia to Europe to America covered in the report.

The application of the technology in relation to other types, such as organic electronics and silicon chips, is given, with detailed information clearly summarized in over 135 tables and figures.

Value Chain Dynamics
For some, it becomes a matter of "Shall I make the new inorganics printable?" or "Shall I make organics work better?" Not everyone is jumping the same way. Indeed there is a spectrum of choice. The technologies live together, and that is not just an interim stage.

This report is essential for all those wishing to understand this technology, the players, opportunities, and applications to ensure they are not surpassed.