Flexible hybrid electronics innovators awarded

The 2019 FLEXI Awards, presented last month at the 18th annual FLEX Conference and Exhibition in California, recognised outstanding accomplishments in the flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) industry over the past 12 months.

The winner of the R&D Achievement Award, FlexEnable, has developed what is claimed to be the world’s first industrially proven, low-cost flexible transistor technology, allowing displays to be built on plastic. Now entering mass production, this organic LCD (OLCD) technology will soon be used in displays for applications including smart home appliances, automotive and digital signage.

The winner of the Product Innovation Award, American Semiconductor, was meanwhile recognised for the innovative product design of FleX NFC, said to be the industry’s first flexible IC to support NFC communication and new ways to connect to the Internet of Things (IoT). The high-functioning, zero-profile, durable ICs are expected to enable smart products in 2019 and beyond.

The Technology Champion & Leadership in Education Award went to Mark Poliks, Empire Innovation Professor of Engineering and Director of the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing at Binghamton University. He was awarded for advancing flexible and printed electronics and for his contributions to the FLEX conference.

“Mark has long been a leader in integrating engineering education with high-quality research,” said Bahgat Sammakia, VP of research at Binghamton University and Director of its New York State Center of Excellence. “Our students are fortunate to benefit from his mentorship. I appreciate Mark’s innovative approach to working with industry and to bringing real-world challenges into his classroom.”

Finally, the Industry Leadership Award was won by Keith Rollins, formerly with DuPont Teijin Films, for his dedication and work to commercialise flexible electronics materials. Rollins served as volunteer chair of the UK Plastic Electronics Leadership Group and a member and chair of the SEMI-FlexTech Governing Council.

The FLEXIs have been one of the flexible electronics industry’s premier awards for distinguished organisations and individuals since 2009. The awards are sponsored by FlexTech, a SEMI Strategic Association partner dedicated to the success of the FHE industry.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Jag_cz

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