Scientists develop material for flexible plastic semiconductors

SEOUL, June 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists said Thursday that they have developed a new polymer material that can speed up and improve the capabilities of next-generation flexible plastic semiconductors.
A joint team of researchers from the University of Ulsan and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) said the ambipolar polymer has the potential to greatly enhance the field effect transistors that will be used in future semiconductors.
At present, companies have only produced various prototypes of flexible computer chips, with mass production expected within five years.
The development, published in the latest issue of the Advanced Functional Materials journal, is noteworthy because local scientists have been able to merge transport properties of so-called electrons and holes into a single component, instead of two used in existing prototypes.
"This achievement can reduce the size and production costs by around 30 percent and can increase overall processing capabilities," said Cho Shin-uk, a physics professor at Ulsan University, who co-led the research with UNIST counterpart Yang Chang-duk.
Cho also said that because the material is smaller, it will use less energy.
Smaller, cheaper and energy-efficient materials are vital for making flexible semiconductors that are expected to be used widely in mobile electronic devices, displays and solar cells.
Cho said work on the new polymer material took about 18 months with follow-up research planned in the future.