The global market for PEDs is rapidly growing and projected to reach $43 billion by 2020. Applications for these devices include sensors, communications, the Internet of Things, and energy storage technologies.

As a relatively new technology area, PEDs come with challenges and considerations that are different from those of conventional, Si-based microelectronics, including ink quality, printing resolution, and power integrity. Overcoming these challenges demands a platform that combines and enables novel materials from multiple disciplines, as well as co-designs systems, components, and integration processes.

Argonne’s PED program designs and prototypes novel and customized electronic devices, building on Argonne’s expertise in microelectronics, materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, and data science. The program serves as a test bed for multi-line innovation around systems engineering, materials, processing/packaging, and device testing, all of which is open to both academic and industrial collaborators and customers.

In collaboration with Argonne’s research divisions, the PED program offers expertise in key areas such as RF and 5G communication, sensors and edge computing, and battery and energy harvesting.

PEDs offer multiple advantages:

• Low form factor and power consumption
• Low cost
• Conformal and embedded devices
• Stretchable and wearable
• Collaborative and/or autonomous