First step towards integrated printed memory devices recognized as key for printed electronics
OSLO, February 9, 2012 - Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") and PARC, a Xerox company, announced today that they have won the prestigious FlexTech Alliance Innovation Award for the world's first working prototype of a printed, non-volatile memory device addressed with complementary organic circuits, the equivalent of CMOS circuitry. The FlexTech Alliance FLEXI award for Achievement in Innovation is given to companies that are leading the development of the flexible, printed electronics and display industry with innovative and commercially viable technologies. Thinfilm Addressable Memory consists of Thinfilm's printed memory and PARC's transistors, and when combined with other electronic components, such as temperature sensors, displays, power sources, and antennas, can enable the "Internet of things," where everything is connected by a smart tag. The two companies first demonstrated the prototype in October of last year.
"We believe the successful demonstration of Addressable Memory was a key enabling moment for printed electronics and it is gratifying to see that FlexTech Alliance has recognized its importance," said Davor Sutija, Thinfilm CEO. "With the recent announcement of our ecosystem consisting of temperature sensor, battery and display vendors, the delivery of integrated printed devices and smart tags for the Internet of things will soon be a reality."
"Addressable memory is a key building block for printed electronics and is an important step in creating a new world of integrated, smart devices. We are pleased to see FlexTech Alliance recognize its importance and innovation in driving the printed electronics market forward," said Ross Bringans, Vice President, PARC Electronic Materials and Devices Laboratory.
To win the FlexTech Alliance Innovation Award, Thinfilm and PARC were evaluated on rigorous criteria including product design and ingenuity, potential market adoption and successful revenue generation.
Development of the Thinfilm Addressable Memory was partially funded by an industrial development grant from Innovation Norway. Also participating in the development program are Thinfilm partners Polyera, Solvay, and Inktec.
About Thinfilm
Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") is a publicly-listed Norwegian technology company with its head office in Oslo and product development in Linköping, Sweden, and sales offices in San Francisco, USA, and Tokyo, Japan. Thinfilm is a pioneer in the field of Printed Electronics, and provides fully-printed non-volatile, rewritable memory for applications in toys & games, logistics, sensor, and ID systems.
About PARC
PARC, a Xerox company, is in the business of open, collaborative innovation. We create new business options, accelerate time to market, augment internal capabilities, and reduce risk for our global clients - which range from Fortune 500 companies and startups to government agency partners. Incorporated as an independent wholly owned subsidiary of Xerox in 2002, PARC today continues its physical, computer, and social sciences research that enables breakthroughs for our clients' businesses.
About FlexTech Alliance
The FlexTech Alliance is the only organization headquartered in North America exclusively devoted to fostering the growth, profitability and success of the electronic display and the flexible, printed electronics supply chain. FlexTech Alliance offers expanded collaboration between and among industry, academia, government, and research organizations for advancing displays and flexible, printed electronics from R&D to commercialization. To this end, the FlexTech Alliance, based in San Jose, Calif., will help foster development of the supply chain required to support a world-class, manufacturing capability for displays and flexible, printed electronics. More information about FlexTech Alliance can be found at the industry portal: www.flextech.org.
For more information contact:
Torgrim Takle
tt@thinfilm.no
Mobile: +47 95 14 07 82
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl (Norwegian Securities Trading Act)