ABSTRACT
Advances in electronics will occur simultaneously along two different paths. One will focus on increasing the circuit speed and density through [1] the continued improvement of established materials and lithographic techniques and [2] the creative use of molecular or nanoscale building blocks for assembling critical circuit components from the bottom up [1], The other path will involve developing completely new types of electronic systems based on unconventional materials and printing techniques [2]. This class of circuitry will be important (at least initially) not because of its potential for high speed, density, etc., but because it can be mechanically fl exible, lightweight, durable, and easy to print rapidly over large areas. These plastic circuits will form the foundations for novel devices-electronic paper, wearable computers or sensors, disposable wireless ID tags, etc.—that complement the types of systems that conventional electronics supports well (e.g., microprocessors, high-density RAM). This fi eld is new (i.e., there are no entrenched technologies) and it has a strong materials content. As a result, there are considerable opportunities for innovation and basic scientifi c research. Progress in this area requires establishing new materials and patterning techniques for fl exible circuits, developing a fundamental understanding of the chemistry and physics of organic semiconductors, designing component geometries that complement these systems, and inventing new ways to exploit the unique properties of these circuits in devices.
