Organic Electronics NPL has world-leading, advanced metrology capability to support organic, plastic and printed electronics. We work on performance (from nano- to macroscale), durability and large area characterisation.
2010-2012
Project Title: Advanced Metrology for Novel Photovoltaic Technologies (£480k NMO project)
Summary: This project will build upon existing world-class measurement facilities at NPL by developing novel techniques to establish a new multidisciplinary integrated metrology capability for excitonic solar cells which will include nanoscale materials characterisation, electrical and optoelectronic metrology and nanoscale surface and interface analysis. The focus is on the development of measurement methods to allow correlation of nano- and microscale morphology to OPV and DSSC device performance.
NPL staff working on the project:
Fernando Castro
William Kylberg
Andy Wain
2010-2011
Project Title: Measurements of ultra-low permeability barriers for flexible organic electronics (£180k - NMO project)
Summary: The project will determine the feasibility of using NPL's trace water vapour facility as the basis for a method for measuring water vapour transmission rate of ultra low permeation barriers suitable for encapsulating a variety of organic electronic devices. The facility uses cavity ringdown infrared spectroscopy for detection and is a significant move away from conventional methods.
NPL staff working on the project:
Paul Brewer
2008-2011
Project Title: Reusable, unzippable, sustainable electronics (£446k - TSB project)
Partners: In2Tec, Gwent Group
Summary: This project will provide a disruptive change in manufacturing process by developing innovative enabling technology leading to fabrication of sustainable multi-layer electronics assemblies. Special polymer layers and binders will be developed to allow straightforward, end-of-life disassembly with easy reuse and recycling. The technology lends itself readily to rigid, flexible and 3D structures. Recovery levels in typical assemblies will be improved to at least 90%.
NPL staff working on the project:
Martin Wickham
Chris Hunt
2008-2011
Project Title: Nanostructured Interface Characterisation for Plastic Electronics (£1.5M - NMO project)
Summary: A unique strength at NPL is the combined skills and world-class measurement facilities that allows a holistic approach to plastic electronics covering manufacturing printing issues to fundamental measurements of exciton formation. This project is divided in four work-packages that will setup and develop in-house capabilities for: nanoscale electrical measurements, AFM for nanoscale PV properties, optoelectronic measurement and modelling, 2D & 3D nanochemical analysis.
NPL staff working on the project:
Craig Murphy
Markys Cain
Fernando Castro
Li Yang
Santanu Ray
Jian Wang
Charles Clifford
Martin Munz
Deb Roy
Ian Gilmore
Steve Spencer
Jonathan Williams
Joanna Lee
Steven Knox
Alex Cuenat
Patrick Nicholson
Andrés Muñiz-Piniella
Laurie Winkless
Mike Shaw
Louise Wright
Trevor Esward
Paul Brewer
Alex Shard
2007-2010
Project Title: A measurement platform to enable accelerated development of emerging photovoltaic technologies (£300k - NMO project)
Summary: The project will deliver a measurement and testing platform, developed at NPL, to support UK development, competitiveness, and exploitation of third generation photovoltaic (PV) cells, essential to fulfil key long-term Government objectives on renewable energy.
NPL staff working on the project:
Alan Turnbull
Fernando Castro
Patrick Nicholson
2007-2009
Project Title: Surface conditioning of plastic electronics (£1.1M- TSB project)
Partners: Cambridge Display Technology, University of Cambridge, University of Liverpool.
Summary: The consortium proposes to develop methodologies for creating and characterising the wetting and non-wetting regions of a substrate, which are essential for the correct placement and confinement of printed electronic materials. We propose using a threefold approach: 1) build up detailed understanding and working models of the plasma process, 2) develop alternate surface conditioning techniques which do not use plasma & 3) exploit microscopic surface measurements to build micron scale wettability maps.
NPL staff working on the project:
Li Yang
Santanu Ray
Joanna Lee
Jian Wang
Craig Murphy
Alex Shard
2007-2010
Project Title: Fabrication and integration of thin film organic devices on flexible substrates for displays (£945k - TSB project)
Partners: HP Labs, Qudos Technology, Queen Mary University London, University of East Anglia
Summary: An industry led multidisciplinary consortium is formed to undertake precompetitive research into the design and development of metallophthalocyanine based thin film transistors, photodiodes and memory switches on plastic substrates. The printable features of these devices will be exploited for the implementation of integrated circuits. Special emphasis will be given towards a low-cost manufacturing process to provide flexible, lightweight displays such as e-paper suitable for human friendly mobile electronics.
NPL staff working on the project:
Craig Murphy
Markys Cain
Laurie Winkless
Alex Cuenat
Andrés Muñiz-Piniella
2008-2010
Project Title: Delivering electronic components with aligned layers by foil stamping (£945k - TSB project)
Partners: DeLaRue, RK PrintCoat Instruments, Novalia, PETEC, Imperial College London
Summary: This project will develop the delivery of plastic electronic components, specifically transistors, to a flexible substrate in a roll-to-roll fashion. The work encompasses basic research into novel material formulations and processes to obtain multiple thin film layers, which may then be transferred to pre-patterned electrodes through foil stamping. In this manner, the semiconductor, dielectric and gate of a transistor may be located with automatic registration, obviating the need for resists and multiple printing steps, which are costly and wasteful. The method, once proven, will enable the economic production of flexible circuitry with high throughput thereby reducing costs and offering novel, valuable features for printing industries.
NPL staff working on the project:
Craig Murphy
Li Yang
Santanu Ray
Martin Munz
Steven Knox
Alex Shard
For more information, please contact: Fernando Castro
Organic Electronics links