Flexible thin film transistor arrays as an enabling platform technology: Opportunities and challenges

Significant advances in large-area flexible electronics over the last decade have created a tremendous opportunity for revolutionary transformational engineered products and systems with unique and desirable form, fit and function. In these "Flexible Systems", materials and nano-, micro-, and macro-scale devices are integrated to produce valuable multi-functional products that are characteristically thin, lightweight, flexible, conformable, and ultra-rugged for use under challenging conditions. The practical opportunities seem limitless: one can envision new dual-use technologies that can be deployed to address critical needs in a diverse application space from health sciences to information and decision technology, security and emergency response, transportation, energy and the environment. Before this compelling future is realized, however, major advances in three critical areas must be achieved: (i) design and integration; (ii) flexcompatible materials, structures and devices; and (iii) scaleable and sustainable manufacturing processes.