Printed electronics : the next inkjet revolution

Abstract

Inkjet printing has proven to be a remarkable disruptive technology. From its humble beginnings in 1984 it has grown to become the dominant technology for personal computer-based printing. However, after almost two decades of strong growth, the Inkjet printing market is maturing. Companies large and small are now beginning to explore use of inkjet in a diverse range of new applications ranging from manufacture of next generation flat panel displays and low cost circuits to generation of biochips and fast-prototyping of 3-D objects. These new applications present existing inkjet players with exciting opportunities to leverage their knowledge and assets to exploit these new markets. This thesis explores the opportunities for inkjet technology in two emerging industries: 1) next-generation flat panel displays based on organic light-emitting diodes and 2) low cost, disposable circuits required for products such as radio-frequency identification tags and smart cards. These are likely to be the two biggest opportunities for non-traditional applications of inkjet technology. In both cases, inkjet provides a flexible, low cost manufacturing method that is a very compelling alternative to the expensive wafer fab processing required to produce today's flat panel displays and circuits. Each of these industries is analyzed in considerable depth to provide context for assessing the disruptive potential of inkjet. The potential of inkjet to become an important enabling technology is then analyzed using ideas and frameworks from the management ofteclmology literature. Both organic LED displays and low cost circuits appear likely to become disruptive technologies. The best early opportunity for non-traditional application of inkjet technology appears to be in display manufacturing. Here the technology fit with Inkjet capabilities is good and the strength of competing manufacturing technologies is relatively weak. Establishment of inkjet as an important production method for low cost circuits appears more challenging. The technology fit is not as good and competing low-cost technologies are further along in their development. It is recommended that existing inkjet players first address the display opportunity to gain experience with transitioning inkjet from a consumer printing technology to one well suited to high-volume electronics manufacturing. Once this capability has been demonstrated the bigger challenges in circuit manufacturing can be addressed.