Enabling Printed Electronics with Conducting Polymer Technologies – A Case Study

Introducing a new material science technology is quite different from the normal “IT start-up” model.  In commercializing a material science based enabling technology, a sustainable value proposition and a platform technology are essential.  In this context, the presentation will review the challenges and opportunities in  emerging printed electronics applications such as OLED Displays and Lighting as well as Energy Storage.  Recent results from Plextronics and other companies active in Printed Electronics will be used to illustrate the potential of this field.

Plextronics is originally a spin-out company from CMU and has grown to become a leader in the research, development and commercialization of conductive and semi-conductive polymers and ink formulations, which enable the commercialization of printed electronic devices. These patented products are sold under the Plexcore® brand. The first markets that Plextronics is addressing are (1) Organic Light Emitting Diode for flat panel displays and solid state lighting, and (2) energy storage devices such as Lithium Ion (or ―Li-Ion‖) batteries.