NPL carries out world leading metrology research to support organic, plastic and printed electronics. We work with large industries, SMEs, universities and R&D centres to support materials and product development on performance (from nano- to macroscale), durability and large area characterisation.

What is organic electronics?

'Plastic', 'organic' or 'printed' electronics are terms often used to describe electronics based on organic (i.e. carbon-based) semiconductors. Work in this area includes not only the active organic semiconductors but also passive layers and components (i.e. interconnects, passivation and encapsulation layers).

The main interest in plastic electronics is the possibility to produce lightweight and robust electronics at low cost on large area, flexible substrates. Another attractive characteristic is that new materials with defined structural, chemical and physical properties can be chemically synthesized in the laboratory to meet application requirements.

Why organic?

The market for plastic electronics is expected to reach $300bn by 2030 (source: IDTechEx). These include applications such as flexible displays, large area lighting, solar energy photovoltaics, electronic radio frequency identification tags (RFID), intelligent packaging, sensors, disposable electronics and intelligent textiles.

The possibility of low power consumption and low heat generation devices fabricated onto lightweight flexible substrates increases the scope for novel portable and integrated electronics, ranging from roll-up displays to wearable sensors on clothing with healthcare applications

Despite successful commercialisation of first products, organic electronics has not yet achieved widespread mass adoption. In part this is due to technical challenges in product development, product lifetime and control of production quality.

What does NPL do?

The NPL Organic Electronics team is focused on overcoming metrology barriers for the OE UK community to increase confidence in the area, accelerate market entry and increase competitiveness with respect to other technologies. Work is centred on three broad themes:

• Performance
  Nano- to micro-metre scale characterisation including bulk and surface properties of films and devices.

• Durability
  Long term and accelerated testing, degradation mechanism elucidation, failure analysis, seals and barrier layer characterisation.

• Large area characterisation
  Offline inspection, in-line testing, large area metrology.

Measurement and Services Offered

NPL offers a broad complementary suite of measurement techniques, combined with a scientific team with significant industrial and academic experience in organic electronics, to support development and commercialisation of this emerging technology.

NPL offers flexible options including larger scale or longer-term arrangements, ad hoc or single orders for customers requiring irregular support, call-off contracts.

We actively encourage our customers to work with us to determine the most suitable means of doing business.

Further details of Measurement and Services offered

For more information, please contact: Fernando Castro