Thin-Film Transistors for Flexible Displays and RFID Applications

该项目的目标是制造和表征薄膜晶体管(TFT)和相关的大面积电路，重点是提高TFT应用的器件性能，并了解导致基于NW的器件性能变化和可靠性的机制。智能的优点包括将设备和电路的性能与材料和结构相关联的良好集成的努力。该计划的变革性性质包括重点解决与在兆赫(MHz)到千兆赫(GHz)频率实现操作相关的总体问题，这与以前的研究不同，以前的研究通常涉及基本材料问题和低频性能。这项跨学科计划将提供一种手段，将开发的薄膜技术用于两个利基应用，即柔性显示器和射频识别芯片(RFID)，预计这两个利基应用将在未来高科技市场占据很大份额。两个概念验证电路，一个灵活的彩色显示器和一个超级再生的RFID标签，将被开发出来。该计划的更广泛影响包括新设备和电路概念在薄膜电子应用中的技术相关性，包括显示技术和射频电路。该计划将开发纳米线TFT和相关电路，可以使用简单的低温制造工艺可靠和一致地制造这些电路。该计划还包括一项综合教育和推广工作，旨在应对由于许多项目的跨学科性质而产生的与纳米技术相关的教育/培训方面的挑战，并为代表不足的群体的参与者提供机会。

The objective of this program is to fabricate and characterize thin-film transistors (TFTs) and associated large-area circuits, with focuses on both improving device performance for TFT applications and understanding the mechanisms responsible for NW based device performance variations and reliability. The intellectual merit includes a well-integrated effort which will correlate the device and circuit performance to the materials and structures. The transformative nature of the program includes a focus on addressing overall issues associated with achieving operation at megahertz (MHz) to gigahertz (GHz) frequencies, in contrast to previous studies which have typically addressed basic materials issues and low-frequency performance. The interdisciplinary program will provide a means to utilize the developed thin film technology in two niche applications that are expected to have a large share of the future high tech market,namely flexible displays and radio-frequency identification chips (RFIDs). Two proof-of-concept circuits, a flexible color display and a super regenerative RFID tag, will be developed. The broader impacts of the program include the technological relevance of new device and circuit concepts for applications in thin film electronics, including display technologies and RF circuitry. The program will develop nanowire TFTs and associated circuits that can be fabricated reliably and consistently using simple low temperature fabrication processes. The program also includes an integrated education and outreach effort aimed at addressing challenges in nanotechnologyrelated education/training arising from the interdisciplinary nature of many of the projects, and at providing opportunities for participants from under-represented groups.