As the organic semiconductor and organic electronics industries begin the transition towards commercialization, the challenges companies face are shifting from research and development to manufacturing, integration, test and measurement. The primary issues facing the industry today are:
· How to scale from laboratory to full production
· How to select the right tools and processes to purchase or develop
· How to use test and measurement to improve yield and quality
Companies such as Polymer Vision, Plastic Logic and printed systems are tackling these issues head on by developing their own unique approaches and solutions. However, access to such proprietary know-how is often limited, making it difficult for new companies wanting to enter the market to catch-up. What is starting to occur in the industry is the growth of companies and institutions willing to fill this gap by providing services, processes and products that will play a key role in shortening the time to market. Such companies include Fraunhofer IZM, Fraunhofer IPMS, Botest Systems, OTB Engineering, Soligie, Horiba Jobin Yvon, and Solar Coating.
These issues and possible solutions are directly reflected in the program for this year’s Organic Semiconductor Conference (OSC-08), which has the theme ‘From Lab to Fab’. Delegates will be able to learn first-hand how leading organizations are already tackling these issues.
For example, on the subject of manufacturing, Plastic Logic will be describing how it is managing the step from lab-scale to volume production of its flexible active matrix displays. printed systems will outline its approach to mass printing paper electronics. Pixdro / OTB Engineering will discuss the development and application of its industrial production equipment. We will hear from the Fraunhofer IZM about its fabrication process for organic large area electronics, while the Fraunhofer IPMS will be covering fabrication solutions for large area OLED lighting.
On the subject of testing, Horiba Jobin Yvon will be describing its Spectroscopic Ellipsometry technique for high quality control for organic semiconductor films. Botest Systems will be discussing advanced testing of organic semiconductor devices.
In addition to these organizations, OSC-08 will showcase a further 80 speakers, over half of whom are representing organizations which did not present at last year’s conference. Up to 500 engineers, researchers, business leaders and investors from around the world are expected to meet at OSC-08 to report progress and discuss future directions in the organic electronics and organic semiconductor industries. This major annual conference, founded by cintelliq in 2003, will take place at the Frankfurt Messe, Germany, from 29 September to 1 October 2008.
OSC-08
