ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - University of Cape Town

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1. AN EXAMPLE OF NANOSCIENCES INNOVATION: PRINTED SILICON Nanosciences innovation describes a holistic approach to all aspects of the innovation chain, shown in figure 1. below, concentrating mainly on the progression of an idea from basic research to proof of concept. In the case of printed silicon our idea was simple: to print silicon nanoparticles on a substrate like paper to make electronic devices. The road to commercialising a product based on this idea required repeated review of the end goals in light of our research results and market developments. Eight years later the first product was commercialised, and we had developed our strategy of nanosciences innovation. Figure 1. The links in the Innovation Chain, showing the areas of activity of the NanoSciences Innovation Centre. With formulating an ink from silicon nanoparticles and printing electronics in a similar fashion to T-shirt printing, the printed silicon technology looks at first sight simple. But behind this process, shown in figure 2 below, a whole groundwork of basic science was needed to study and understand the properties of the materials. The results of these studies informed the direction of the applied research into the deposition of nanocomposite layers and the development of electronic devices, which were in turn guided by the requirements of the chosen application. Above all the final product was designed to make use of the unique and novel properties of the material system. 4
Figure 2: Printed silicon technology: from silicon particles to printed electronic devices and circuits The key to the success of the technology lies in the quality of the surface of the silicon particles, which are clean enough to let electric charge pass between particles, but which are stable against oxidation. The second key, which opens up doors to many other applications which cannot be achieved with electronics technologies, is to understand and control the transport of electric charge through the printed silicon. In the end it is the understanding of its unique transport properties which allows printed silicon to be used, not only in sensor applications, but also in photovoltaics and logic. 5
Page 1 and 2: ANNUAL REPORT 2011 M. Härting and
Page 3: 1. INTRODUCTION Recognising that in
Page 7 and 8: important aspects: firstly a study
Page 9 and 10: trade show, the NanoSciences Innova
Page 11 and 12: 3.3.3 National Phase patents filed
Page 13 and 14: PhD Lloyd Angelo Corker (under exam
Page 15: 4.1 External Use of Infrastructure

ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - University of Cape Town

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