Ciba Specialty Chemicals and Max Planck Institute to Develop Novel Materials for Printable Organic Electronics
Oct 30, 2006
Multidisciplinary joint research project of Ciba Specialty Chemicals and Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Partnership strengthens research activities in fast-developing field
Accelerated introduction of new, improved conductive materials
BASEL -- Ciba Specialty Chemicals and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, have agreed to collaborate in the research of conductive materials for printable electronic materials. The three-year, multidisciplinary project focuses on the development of novel conductive polymers for printable applications. This collaboration between a leading global manufacturer of specialty chemicals and one of the top academic research institutions in material science is expected to speed up the introduction of improved materials. The production of devices such as sensors, photovoltaic cells, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) and other electronics will benefit considerably from printing as against other techniques, such as etching.
The collaboration is part of our strategy to strengthen Ciba Specialty Chemicals' research network in the fast-developing field of advanced functional materials for the electronic industry. Printable organic electronics offer great opportunities for new electronic devices. However, the performance, durability and handling requirements of the conductive materials currently available are not yet adequate for many major applications. Groundbreaking development work in this highly interdisciplinary field is still needed," says Martin Riediker, Chief Technology Officer of Ciba Specialty Chemicals.
"With this partnership, we want to take a major step to bridge the gap between potential and real application of conductive polymers in an important application area. Only two months elapsed between the introduction of the project conceptand its implementation. This reflects the speed of development in this emerging technology area and the rapid progress achieved through the cooperation between Ciba Specialty Chemicals and the Max Planck Institute," says Professor Gerhard Wegner, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research.
Polymers have long been known as insulators. Only after the discovery and development of their conductive and semiconductive capabilities did organic electronic applications become feasible in thin, light, flexible and extremely inexpensive formats. The advantage of polymers lies in their comparatively simple and low-cost processability. Electroconductive polymers are already used in display and solar technology as well as in sensors. The market potential of their use in simple plastic electronic systems such as RFID tags, low-cost biomedical sensors, data storage and consumer products is also substantial.
In the area of electronic materials, Ciba Specialty Chemicals develops, produces and markets advanced functional materials, including pigments, dyes, photoinitiators and light stabilizers for display, information storage and microelectronics applications. Ciba's research team has established a solid network with a number of technology leaders and is developing novel organic electroluminescent materials for display and lighting applications, as well as organic semiconductor materials for transistor and solar cell applications.
The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research is the leading research center in polymer materials science in Europe. More than 400 international scientists and technicians perform basic research on polymers for electronics, biomedicine and automotive applications and for the packaging of goods and equipment. Research at the Polymer Research Institute, which is designed to advance the fundamental understanding of polymers as functional materials, includes the development of new processing techniques that will expand scope for advanced technologies.
The joint research project of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research and Ciba Specialty Chemicals was established under and coordinated by the Plastic Electronics Foundation. Both the Max Planck Institute and Ciba are prominent members of the foundation's advisory board.
The official launch of the joint research project took place during the "2nd Plastic Electronics Conference & Showcase,"held in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 24 & 25, 2006.
Ciba Specialty Chemicals (SWX: CIBN, NYSE: CSB) is a leading global company dedicated to producing high-value effects for its customers' products. We strive to be the partner of choice for our customers, offering them innovative products and one-stop expert service. We create effects that improve the quality of life - adding performance, protection, color and strength to plastics, paper, automobiles, buildings, home and personal care products and much more. Ciba Specialty Chemicals is active in more than 120 countries around the world and is committed to be a leader in its chosen markets. In 2005, the Company's continued operations generated sales of CHF 6.1 billion and invested over CHF 270 million in R&D.
