Printed Transparent Electronics for Low-Cost Displays based on ZnO Nanoparticles

本研究的目的是开发一种印刷透明晶体管技术，以实现高亮度、高对比度的低成本显示。该方法是利用ZnO纳米粒子（一种有前途的可印刷透明半导体）实现印刷透明电子技术所需的器件和材料技术的发展。最初的演示已经产生了性能规格接近某些显示应用所需的透明晶体管。在纳米结构水平上的进一步工程预计会导致额外的性能改进，相关导体和介电技术的发展将使完全印刷的ZnO tft成为可能。在这项工作中，研究人员将开发基于ZnO的半导体和al掺杂ZnO导体，并将它们集成到一个完全印刷的晶体管工艺中，以实现用于低成本显示应用的全印刷透明电子器件。这个建议在技术上很重要，因为它将有助于低成本、柔性的平板显示技术的发展。随着信息技术不断渗透到日常生活中，以低成本获得无处不在的显示能力至关重要。该提案的更广泛影响包括指导本科生进行研究，向高中生伸出援手以促进他们留在科学和工程领域，并通过在历史悠久的黑人学院和大学招募活动向代表性不足的少数族裔伸出援手，以吸引代表性不足的少数族裔学生参与工程研究。

The objective of this research is the development of a printed optically transparent transistor technology for the realization of high-brightness, high-contrast displays at the low cost paradigms enabled by printing. The approach is the development of the device and materials technologies necessary for realizing a printed transparent electronics technology using ZnO nanoparticles, a promising printable transparent semiconductor. Initial demonstrations have already resulted in transparent transistors with performing specifications approaching those required for some display applications. Further engineering at the nanostructural level is expected to result in additional performance improvement, and development of the associated conductor and dielectric technologies will allow the realization of fully-printed ZnO TFTs. Within this work, the investigators will develop ZnO-based semiconductors and Al-doped ZnO conductors and will integrate these into a fully printed transistor process to realize all-printed transparent electronics for low-cost display applications.Intellectual MeritThis proposal is technically important since it will contribute to the development of a low-cost, flexible, flat-panel display technology. With the continued penetration of information technology into everyday life, the availability of ubiquitous display capability at low-cost is crucial. Broader impacts of this proposal include mentorship of undergraduates in research, outreach to high-school students to facilitate their retention in science and engineering, and outreach to underrepresented minority groups through recruiting activities at historically black colleges and universities, with the goal of attracting underrepresented minority students into engineering research.