TRANSPARENT ELECTRONICS: AN EMERGING FIELD IN TECHNOLOGY

Anushka Srivastava

Abstract: Transparent Electronics, as a field of science and technology, has come into view and is increasing with huge leaps and bounds. It is trying to produce an entirely invisible electronic circuitry and opto-electronic devices. The first example of transparent electronics was reported by researchers at Oregon State University and Hewlett Packard to make transparent transistors that are inexpensive, stable and environment friendly. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology made a transistor so thin that it can wrap around a human hair. Transparent electronics could be applied in various consumer electronics, new energy sources and transportation. For example, windshields of automobile which could transmit visual information to the driver, flexible electronics that could be folded up for ease of transport. When deposited onto glass, could double as an electronic device, possibly improving security systems or offering transparent displays. In the similar way, windows could be used to produce electrical power. The key component in these applications are wide band gap semiconductors, where oxides of different origin play an important role, not only as passive component but also as an active component similar to what we observe in conventional semiconductors with crystalline or amorphous like structure. The first scientific goal of this technology must be to discover, understand, and implement transparent high-performance electronic materials. Consequently, in order to enable this revolutionary technology requires bringing together expertise from various pure and applied sciences, including material science, chemistry, physics, electrical/electronic engineering, and display science.

Keywords: Flexible electronics, invisible, transparent electronics, transparent transistors, wide band gap semiconductors.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2018.0703011