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Smart paper is defined as paper or board that incorporates an electronic capability achieved through the laying down of conductive inks, polymers or semiconducting polymers onto the surface of the paper or board. There is an interest in the potential of smart paper products - either in the productsthemselves or in the capability offered by the technology for product differentiation or innovation throughout the supply chain, from manufacturers through to end-users.
This study forms part of a suite of three studies covering the latest developments in paper technology.
You'll find out about:
• End-user demands
• Cutting-edge technology developments
• Market opportunities for companies across the smart paper spectrum.
Contents include:
Introduction
Disruptive technologies
Smart papers with electronic capabilities
• Why would we want electronic functions?
• How would we obtain electronic functions?
• The electrical nature of paper (ionic conductivity and polarisability)
Opportunities for smart papers
• Digital papers
• Radio frequency identification (RFID)
• Intelligent Inks
• General opportunities:
- Security products
- Electronic components
- Electromechanical devices
- Manufacturing 3D components
• Inkjet printing
• Security and identification features
- Low-cost barcode improvements
- Laser imaging colour change
- DNA taggants
- Smart labels
Printable thin film electronic devices
• Advantages
• A thin film field effect transistor
• Organic polymers
(conductors, semiconductors, optoelectronic and photorefractive)
• Self switching diodes/memory
Electromechanical devices
• Electro actuated polymers (EAP)
• Ferroelectrets and piezoelectricity
• Applications to paper (micromuscles, audio devices)
Printable thin film batteries:
• Overview, current status and what's needed
Printable sensors for packaging
• Diagnostic sensors
• Integration with RFID
Thin film flexible displays
• A comparison of current and potential display technologies
• Thin film organic light emitting device (OLED)
• Electronic papers today
Chemical surface modification of fibres and paper
• Polyelectrolyte multilayering (PEM)
• PEM of wood pulp fibres
• Nanotechnology and surface modification
Future directions
• Advantages of paper in electronic devices
• Major issues