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

这项研究的目标是开发一种印刷光学透明晶体管技术，以便以印刷实现的低成本范例实现高亮度、高对比度的显示器。该方法是开发使用纳米氧化锌实现印刷透明电子技术所需的器件和材料技术，纳米氧化锌是一种很有前途的可印刷透明半导体。最初的演示已经产生了透明晶体管，其性能指标接近某些显示应用所需的规格。在纳米结构水平上的进一步工程有望带来更多的性能改进，相关导体和介电技术的开发将使实现全印刷的氧化锌薄膜晶体管成为可能。在这项工作中，研究人员将开发氧化锌半导体和掺铝氧化锌导体，并将这些集成到全印刷晶体管工艺中，以实现用于低成本显示应用的全印刷透明电子设备。这项提议在技术上具有重要意义，因为它将有助于开发低成本、灵活的平板显示技术。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。这项提案的更广泛影响包括指导本科生进行研究，向高中生提供帮助，以帮助他们留住科学和工程专业，并通过在黑人历史悠久的学院和大学开展招生活动，向代表不足的少数群体提供帮助，目的是吸引少数族裔学生投身工程研究。

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.