Accessing MHz Operation at 2 V with Field-Effect Transistors Based on Printed Polymers on Plastic

Area of Science:

• Organic electronics
• Materials science
• Semiconductor device physics

Background:

• Organic printed electronics offer cost-effective solutions for wearable and distributed applications.
• Key limitations include the lack of high-speed radio-frequency (RF) communication capabilities at low supply voltages for devices on plastic substrates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate high-frequency, low-voltage polymer field-effect transistors (FETs) fabricated on plastic using scalable printing and laser techniques.
• To enable RF communication for mass-produced electronic devices and tags.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of polymer field-effect transistors on plastic substrates.
• Utilized a combination of scalable printing and digital laser-based techniques.
• Integration of transistors into a rectifying circuit for RF signal detection.

Main Results:

• Achieved operational frequencies exceeding 1 MHz at a low bias voltage of 2 V.
• Demonstrated operation above 14 MHz at 7 V.
• Successfully generated DC voltage from a 13.56 MHz input signal using a rectifying circuit.

Conclusions:

• High-frequency, low-voltage polymer FETs can be manufactured on plastic using printing and laser methods.
• This advancement paves the way for cost-effective RF devices and tags.
• Enables new possibilities for disruptive mass-produced electronic applications.