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Scientists Make First Paper-Based Transistor
Posted by Kit Eaton at 7:27 PM on July 23, 2008
A team at Universidade Nova de Lisboa in Portugal have produced the world's first field-effect transistor based on paper. The paper layer acts as an "interstrate", with the actual FET components being fabricated onto both sides: so the paper holds the transistor together and acts as an insulator. Amazingly in tests the paper transistor performed better than amorphous silicon transistors and even approaches the performance of state-of-the-art oxide thin-film transistors. Why is this interesting news? Mainly since paper is a lower-cost substrate than silicon, so this invention opens the way for cheap, or even disposable, paper displays, smart labels, RFID technology... basically expect more ubiquitous technology integration in future products. [Physorg]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Metkis
Posted 8:40 PM 23/7/08
Wouldn't this be affected by moisture severely?
Metkis
Pablos102030
Posted 8:22 PM 23/7/08
Interesting. But while it may look good on paper... wait
Pablos102030
strider_mt2k
Posted 9:31 PM 23/7/08
At last my master plan to make a transistor radio that gives you something to read when there's nothing on can come to fruition!
Those fellows at the paper mill called me mad -MAD!
strider_mt2k
strider_mt2k
Posted 10:03 PM 23/7/08
@spafles: And it would look like the opening credits of Bonanza! (sans special guest Everett Sloane)
+ Watch video
strider_mt2k
giyad
Posted 10:00 PM 23/7/08
deforestation picks up another enemy...
giyad
spafles
Posted 9:53 PM 23/7/08
And if you fry just one of those FET's, the whole paper gets ruined...
spafles
DisposableInterloper
Posted 9:51 PM 23/7/08
@Metkis:
Not necessarily. There are a number of different ways to make paper waterproof without sacrificing flexibility. Simplest way: lamination with a rather thin plastic laminate. Considering this is for circuitry, it'll no doubt be tucked away, so just enough laminate to keep water out would suffice.
DisposableInterloper
DustyButt
Posted 10:45 PM 23/7/08
@strider_mt2k: You CANNOT be more of a stone-faced drunk than Everett Sloane was in that shot. Rock on.
And this discovery brings my plan of toilet paper TV (TPTV) to our technological horizon... (wrings hands)
excellent.
DustyButt
SigmundTheSeaMonster
Posted 11:15 PM 23/7/08
Pulp fiction?
SigmundTheSeaMonster
Chromeo is typing this on his iPhone 3G
Posted 11:15 PM 23/7/08
So this gives us even more things to throw away? Woohoo!
Chromeo is typing this on his iPhone 3G
GadgetPlay
Posted 12:00 AM 24/7/08
Will probably end up in our money.
GadgetPlay
Junginator
Posted 11:55 PM 23/7/08
Yes, but can they make transistor-based paper?
Junginator
ripfire
Posted 1:03 AM 24/7/08
Jul 23 2015, Tom's Hardware concludes that there is no performance difference between cotton bond based processors and the standard laser paper.
ripfire
sam_i_am
Posted 2:57 AM 24/7/08
More ubiquitous technology integration in future products?
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (fistpump)
sam_i_am
Human Bomb
Posted 2:47 AM 24/7/08
Great.. now the back of my cerial box can be interesting again.
Human Bomb
FrankenPC
Posted 4:22 AM 24/7/08
Soooo...Ultraviolet wasn't ultra full of shit?
FrankenPC
aec007
Posted 5:32 AM 24/7/08
OLED made of polymers (plastics)... Transistors made or paper....
Paper or Plastic?
Where did I heard that before....? hummmmmm
aec007
KristenBal
Posted 8:09 AM 24/7/08
Ok, this is weird, but interesting
@Pablos102030: Jajajajaja, loled here, pretty hard!!!!!
KristenBal
brutek
Posted 10:20 AM 24/7/08
Sorry, not the first; but probably the first to report it. This has been done up in Canada a while back.
brutek
DaSmith
Posted 9:37 PM 24/7/08
Amazing. Expect moving Playboy magazines soon! :D
DaSmith