World's first printed rewritable memory array with logic circuitry

January 21, 2011 // Julien Happich

Thin Film Electronics ASA together with PARC, a Xerox Company, have completed the design of a 128 bit Thinfilm addressable memory. The design combines Thinfilm's memory technology with transistor technology developed by PARC, and includes CMOS circuitry to significantly reduce the number of contact pads necessary to control the Thinfilm Memory.

Thinfilm's current product is a contact-based 20 bit memory and memory controller for advanced interactive toys and games. Addressable Thinfilm memory products will allow integration to create fully printed systems, such as ID tags, sensor tags, and disposable price labels.

"This is an important step towards creating compact higher-density printed memories for new markets and applications, including integration with other printed elements, such as sensors, power sources, and antennas," says Davor Sutija, Thinfilm CEO.

"There are significant horizontal markets, markets that meets the needs of a wide variety of industries, waiting for this technology to be ready," says Sutija, and mentions the rapidly growing adoption of item-level RFID tagging in the retail industry, and the launch of NFC-enabled phones able to read RF tags.

Thinfilm and PARC announced in October that they are working to provide next-generation memory tags using printed electronics, and is now developing prototypes of the addressable memory. These prototypes will be ready later this year. Transfer to production is expected in 2012. 

Using printing to manufacture electronic memory makes it possible to reduce the number of process steps, dramatically reduce manufacturing costs, as well as the environmental impact as compared to traditional semiconductor processes. Commercial applications of printed electronics include e-paper, electronic readers, and organic light emitting (OLED) displays. Sensors, batteries, and photovoltaic energy sources are also in development, and together with Thinfilm's memory technology they will open the door to new products and applications.

Visit Thin Film Electronics at www.thinfilm.se

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