A 'computer' on a plastic strip

With recent advances in printed electronics, it may soon be possible to print a "computer" on a plastic strip.

 

But the device a Norway-based company is building is not your everyday computer - it's a smart tag with transistors, a battery and a display.

 

Oslo-based ThinFilm Electronics is planning to build the device with the printable transistors from research company PARC along with the battery and display, tech site CNET reported.

 

ThinFilm CEO Davor Sutija said these smart tags can have many uses, especially with them partnering with companies that make batteries, displays and sensors.

 

He said the smart tags are about three inches wide and one-and-a-half inches high, and electronics are printed in South Korea with a multilayered roll-to-roll process.

 

"For the first time, you have a smart device that is fully printed, which means you don't have the upfront cost that you have with traditional electronics. This allows for 30 cents a tag," he said.

 

ThinFilm's technology, which has been under development since the 1990s, includes a printable memory device that stores the 1s and 0s of digital information by changing the orientation of polymer chains when a voltage is applied.

 

Last year, ThinFilm partnered with Xerox company PARC to combine its ferroelectric memory with PARC's printed transistors.

 

Adding computing logic allows the device to not only read, write, and process data, but also to store more data, the CNET report said.

 

CNET reported the simple computing device's first task may be as a temperature sensor to monitor temperature on perishable goods.

 

South African company PST Sensors and ThinFilm also plan to make a prototype of a disposable temperature sensor to monitor foods or medicine, such as vaccines.

 

"When people receive food or pharmaceuticals, the smart tag will display the temperature record. This method will be less expensive and more accurate than placing alarm sensors in shipping containers, ThinFilm said," CNET said.

 

Limited computing, storage

 

The computing and storage are very limited on this strip due to its low power, although data can be stored many times and is retained even if power is lost.

 

CNET said ThinFilm is eyeing integrated printable electronics replacing silicon processors and enabling the Internet of things.

 

It said the company has deals to supply smart tags that add interactivity to toys and games.

 

The company has also had discussions with auto companies to use tags to gather data on vehicle brakes and notify drivers when they need service.

 

In 2013 or 2014, the company plans to add a wireless networking module to its smart tag - this will allow everyday objects to communicate with the near-field communications in cell phones, said Sutija. — TJD, GMA News