Concept and image of the junction (via The Imperial College London)
The common touch panel interfaces have a delay in response time, and it doesn't get better over time as the system gets burdened with software. The Imperial College London (ILC) and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are teaming up to solve this issue. They have come up with a new organic composite material made of a blend of two organic semiconductors to make up organic thin film transistors (OTFTs).
These scientists, along with the Center For Plastic Electronics, have combined the distinct useful qualities of polymer semiconductors with soluble small-molecule semiconductors to create a thin film. Small-molecule semiconductors are very effective, but they are difficult to manufacture into a thin film. Contrary, polymer semiconductors make thin films easily, but they do not have high charge carrier capabilities. The team found that creating a composite material with both materials resulted in a thin film with a charge carrier mobility that exceeds 5 cm2/V*s, which similar to the high mobility of a single crystal made of small-molecules semiconductors.
This film has a crystalline texture due to the small-molecule component and a remarkable flatness and smoothness atop the polycrystalline film. Both of these factors improve the performance of the materials response time and are crucial in top-gate, bottom-contact configuration devices.
Using methods like x-ray scattering, cross-sectional energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy in topographic and phase modes, researchers may be able to obtain OTFTs with higher mobilities. Speaking about the future of OTFTs, Dr. Anthopoulos from the Imperial team said, "In principle, this simple blend approach could lead to the development of organic transistors with performing characteristics well beyond the current state-of-the-art."
Microsoft demonstrates the benefits of a faster response time in their "Path for the next 10 years" announcement. Follow the link to see more.
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