Towards a post-silicon electronics future

Metal-oxide nanoparticles have electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties allowing the production of transparent devices through patterned deposition on flexible substrates at low temperatures. This is the reason why they are receiving widespread attention as an enabling technology for next-generation electronics.

To unlock their full potential, researchers adopted a holistic approach within the EU-funded project 'Oxide materials towards a matured post-silicon electronics era' (ORAMA). Experimental research work on the synthesis of oxide materials suitable for display electronics and chemical sensing is supported by modelling of material properties.

Material synthesis is focused on active semiconductor oxides and passive transparent conducting oxides with binary, ternary and quaternary structures. Testing of oxide material electrical properties is conducted using established techniques along with the method of four coefficients (M4C).

M4C is based on measurements of all coefficients concerning thermo-magneto-transport effects of the specimens under testing — namely, resistivity, Hall, Seebeck and Nernst coefficients. Developed during the course of the project, this new method allows the characterisation of metal oxides with transport characteristics below the Johnson noise level.

The new oxide materials have a broad range of applications. The ORAMA research work is, however, centred on touch screens with organic light-emitting diode arrays and new lighting and sensing concepts that are of interest to the automotive sector. Three prototypes have been developed collaboratively to demonstrate how newly developed materials can be utilised in specific products.

Early on in the project, an active matrix display overlaid on a flexible pressure sensor was developed to take input from the driver and provide feedback. A second prototype demonstrates the possibility to integrate lighting into the functional coatings of windows. Lastly, a p-type sensor to monitor air quality in the cabin operates at lower temperatures than sensors available on the market.

ORAMA profits from the expertise of Europe's leading research and development institutes and industries that are members of the consortium. Ongoing research helps them to identify the potential contained in metal-oxide nanoparticles. On the other hand, project outcomes will serve to 'show and tell' their many advantages to a wider community.