Kodak renews interest in printed electronics

Dan Rogers - 04 Jun 2010

Eastman Kodak has resumed its interest in printed electronics in a cooperative agreement with coating technology firm MacDermid Autotype.

The Rochester, New York-based imaging company is working on coating technology to replace indium tin oxide (ITO), the conductive layer used in many touchscreen displays.

Kodak and MacDermid are developing a polyester-based alternative, and are currently trialling the material with customers in Asia, says Kodak's president of the industrial films group Mark Juba.

He comments: 'Customers are currently sampling trial products - we've been shipping samples to them for evaluation in the last weeks. We're aiming to reach the full-scale commercial production phase in Q3 or Q4 2010.'

Having sold its OLED business last year, Kodak's current efforts suggests that the company still aims to be involved in the emerging printed electronics markets - albeit now as a component supplier, rather than an originator of technology IP.

Kodak OLED

Kodak previously held significant IP in printed and organic electronics, having developed some of the founding technology behind OLEDs in the 1980s. However, the company sold its OLED business to consumer electronics firm LG in 2009 and closed its OLED division. A number of ex-Kodak employees moved to a Rochester, New York-based start-up, TechnoCorp Energy (TCE), following the closure. TCE is set to license the OLED IP bought by LG and develop commercial production of OLED panels.

Kodak's deal with MacDermid indicates both that the company retains an interest in emerging electronics, as well as the necessity to reorganise its strategy in relation to printed electronics.

Juba says of Kodak's new approach: 'We aim to be a component supplier to those fabricating electronic devices.'

Displays

Kodak and MacDermid's coating is likely to be used first in touchscreen devices, such as smartphones and GPS products.

'There is a lot of interest in films and conductive polymers to replace ITO in touch panels and e-readers, and it is an area that is very rapidly growing. From a technology standpoint, Kodak has expertise in formulation and coating of PEDOT materials in particular. This approach could be more economical than sputtered ITO,' Juba comments.

Should the sample trials prove successful, Kodak and MacDermid will be able to supply full volumes of its coating without needing to scale up, says Juba.

'The samples we provided were manufactured at full production scale, so we're well in position to move quickly. The key thing at the moment is getting feedback and determining if anything needs tweaking with the coating,' he adds.

+Plastic Electronics magazine provides exclusive, high-value content for the printed, plastic and organic electronics industry. To sign up for your copy immediately, contact publications@pira-international.com or visit our subscriptions page.