Opportunities and Challenges in Desktop-Inkjet Based Flexible Hybrid Electronics

Flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) unifies conventional silicon-based electronics with printed electronics. An amalgam of both technologies carries potential to exploit the growing demand of flexible electronics market without compromising system performance. In this paper, we present a work-flow, opportunities, and challenges in developing FHE prototypes using desktop-based inkjet printing system. We explore developing a wireless transceiver and a single stage amplifier prototype using Si-based electronics on a Kapton polyimide substrate and report the challenges associated in each stage of the work-flow.