Nanoident launches facility for printing optoelectronic sensors
March 15, 2007, Linz, Austria--Nanoident Technologies has opened a high-volume manufacturing facility for printed semiconductor-based optoelectronics, based on the company's Semiconductor 2.0 technology platform, to deliver printed semiconductor-based products for the Nanoident Group of companies, which includes Nanoident Technologies, Nanoident Biometrics, and Bioident Technologies (Menlo Park, CA). Dubbed an organic FAB (OFAB), the environmentally friendly production process in the new facility can produce printed electronic devices quickly and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional silicon-based semiconductor fab, according to a company statement.
The company expects the new OFAB production facility to enable innovative solutions in a wide range of markets, including consumer, industrial, life sciences and security, that were previously cost or otherwise prohibitive due to the physical constraints of silicon, due to the expense and material waste associated with mask making, and due to the need to process toxic materials. Since toxic materials are not used in the OFAB, Nanoident describes it as a green production process.
"Printed semiconductor-based optoelectronics devices created by the OFAB will usher in an era of new application types¿traditionally not well suited for silicon¿which will improve healthcare, enhance personal and homeland security, as well as drive new industrial applications," said Klaus G. Schroeter, CEO, Nanoident. "These applications are just the beginning, as we look forward to driving continued advancements for printed devices that will enhance peoples' lives."
To produce printed electronics in the 100-class cleanroom at the OFAB, nanomaterials are deposited, in an extremely fast process, onto a substrate using advanced printing methods. Traditional chip manufacturing takes approximately two to three months. In the OFAB, the entire process can be completed in hours or days, depending on the application. Prototypes and volume production can be run on the same equipment, which allows for highly customized devices. Production capacity can easily be scaled as needed by adding more equipment.
For more information, contact Nanoident Technologies.