Abstract
Printing silicon means either using inkjet, traditional printing techniques or
transfer printing to create electronic devices and photovoltaic subsystems
with silicon derived materials. The concept of printed silicon has been around
for a while but has grown in prominence in the last two or three years as
organic electronics has not spread as rapidly as once expected. Printing
silicon holds out the promise of combining the proven performance advantages
of silicon with the low-cost manufacturing promised by printing. And while the
focus is on printed silicon, many of the printing techniques being suggested
could be extended to other traditional semiconductor materials.
NanoMarkets was the first industry analyst firm to recognize the revenue
potential of printed silicon and we published a report on this topic in 2007.
This new report builds on our considerable understanding of the potential for
printed silicon and analyzes and quantifies the printed silicon/silicon inks
markets in 2009 and beyond, showing how these inks and printing processes can
produce profits, even in the current economic environment. This report also
discusses the complete range of printed silicon applications that are likely
to yield significant market opportunities in the next eight years.
Printed electronics is now much more eclectic than ever about the materials
that it uses. This report explains where printed silicon fits into the entire
functional printing picture, how it competes with other materials, and which
applications it is best suited for. This report is essential reading for
product managers, marketing executive and business development personnel in
the printed electronics industry, as well as materials and inks firms looking
for new opportunities, and, of course, printing equipment manufacturers.
As with all NanoMarkets reports, this report includes a granular eight-year
forecast of revenues from silicon inks and printed materials as well as an
assessment of the product/market strategies of the leading firms active in
this space.
Methodology of this Report
The information for this work is derived from a variety of sources, but
principally comes from primary sources, including NanoMarkets' ongoing
interview program of technologists, business development managers, and
academics involved with emerging electronics of all kinds, including thin-film
and printable electronics. We also drew on an extensive search of the
technical literature, relevant company Web sites, trade journals, government
resources, and various collateral items from trade shows and conferences.
Some of the data for this report comes from other NanoMarkets' reports, most
notably “Materials for Thin-Film Silicon Photovoltaics,” and much
of the historical and background information builds on the 2007 version of
this report, “Opportunities for Nanocrystalline Silicon and Silicon Inks
in Electronics.” Where information comes from an earlier report, it has
been reinvestigated, reanalyzed, and reconsidered in light of current
developments, and updated accordingly.
The forecast approach taken in this report is explained in more detail in
Chapter Four, but the basic approach involved looking at the underlying needs
and markets, as well as the technologies and types of products available or
under development, to assess suitability and likely volume over the next eight
years. The stated plans of the key firms are of course of special interest,
although NanoMarkets critically considers these claims in light of all
available data.
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