Organic TFTs have been developed for a broad range of display and integrated circuit applications on flexible, plastic substrates. For display applications organic TFTs have reached an advanced stage of industrialisation. Our industrial partner, Plastic Logic, manufactures flexible displays comprising more than 1 million OTFTs on a plastic substrate for applications in lightweight, robust electronic readers. In contrast to displays circuit applications of OTFTs have been much harder to realize. This is mainly due to the poor switching performance of printed OTFTs arising as a consequence of the relatively low mobility of organic semiconductors (which in spite of dramatic improvements in recent years is still "only" on the order of 1 cm2/Vs) and the low resolution of common graphic arts based printing techniques. Our approach to overcome the critical performance issues of printed electronics has been to develop a high-resolution printing-based manufacturing process for OTFTs (self aligned printing (SAP) / self-aligned gate (SAG) technology) (Noh et al., Nature Nanotechnology 2, 784 (2007)), which allows fabrication of TFTs with submicrometer channel lengths and low parasitic gate capacitance by simple inkjet printing techniques. In the EPSRC/CIKC funded PRIME project we developed this technology into a controlled technology platform for fabrication of integrated circuits with typically 100 TFTs. The number of TFTs is limited by our university fabrication and testing infrastructure. The PRIME project had two main technological objectives: (a) to establish manufacturability of the previously developed SAP/SAG process for downscaling printed organic TFTs and (b) to integrate both p-type and n-type organic semiconductors into such downscaled, printed TFTs to allow fabrication of high yielding, low power printed CMOS circuits. The objective of the proposed follow-on funding project is to commercialize this technology platform in a specific integrated circuit application that is compatible with the limited integration level that we can realistically achieve with our current fabrication infrastructure (about 100 elements).

Organic electronic materials are widely used in LEDs, transistors and, though less advanced, in solar cells. Organic semiconductor devices are generally divided into two classes: those made by vacuum deposition of so-called 'small molecules' and those made by solution-processing of film-forming materials (typically polymers). The UK community, following some of the early work at Cambridge has tended to concentrate on the latter class of materials. The rationale for this is two-fold. Firstly, in terms of translation to large-scale manufacture, direct low-temperature solution processing of active semiconductors is very attractive for low-cost processing, particularly where patterning can be carried out by direct printing (ink-jet printing has been developed, for example, for deposition of red-, green- and blue-emitting materials in full colour displays). Secondly, solution processing presents challenges and opportunities for the formation of useful device structures. In some respects it is awkward - it is generally difficult to assemble multiple layers of organic semiconductor to make conventional laminar heterostructures because solvents are typically not sufficiently specific to allow successive layer depositions without disturbing lower layers - but in other respects, there are real opportunities to generate architectures that would be very difficult to make conventionally. For example, interpenetrating networks of electron-accepting and hole-accepting polymers are required for photovoltaic devices, so that light absorbed throughout the thickness of the semiconductor layer can generated excitons close enough to a region of heterojunction to generate separated charges. The rapid progress made over the last 10 years has taken the field to a level where device performance already sustains a fledgling industry. Basic understanding of the electronic structure of organic heterointerfaces both underpins this industry, and also presents us with a new landscape for discovery where we need to achieve a new level of control over molecular and nanoscale structure. Limitations in current device performance, for LEDs, PVs and FETs, are determined by limitations in our ability to control and measure structures at heterointerfaces. The vision of the present project is to achieve a step-change improvement in the control of molecular and nanoscale structure at organic heterointerfaces and thus to bring about a step-change in electronic functionality and performance of active semiconductor devices including LEDs, FETs and photovoltaics .The mining of this rich new seam of science will deliver game-changing discoveries for both science and engineering. The programme encompasses a variety of different interfaces, between organic-organic and organic-inorganic semiconductors; organic semiconductors and dielectrics; and organic semiconductor-electrode interfaces.

A transformation is currently underway in a large range of computer and sensing technologies, displays and communication systems with the introduction of new low cost, flexible molecular and macromolecular materials. These materials, which encompass polymers, advanced liquid crystals, and nanostructures, including carbon and silicon nanowires, are set to have a disruptive impact on current technologies not only because of their cost/performance advantages, but also because they can be manufactured in more flexible ways, provide more functionality and be engineered for a wider range of applications. The new materials have a strong research base in the UK, are suitable for a wide range of commercial concerns, both large and small, and hence provide an important opportunity for UK plc. At Cambridge there has been considerable research and development into these materials in recent years, with a range of world leading results having been achieved, which have in turn been exploited, in more than 15 spin-outs to date. The market penetration of soft materials into microelectronics and photonics however has only just begun, and with a market estimate measured in $10's of billion per annum, it is certain that the UK must capitalise on its strength in the basic science. There is an urgent need for the development of advanced manufacturing technologies using new macromolecular material systems and valid exploitation models. What the UK lacks is a dedicated centre of excellence that can act as a repository of expertise, developing both clear and differentiated core competencies, together with providing a knowledge development and transfer role. Success here will critically depend upon early traction between those in research and those in commercial exploitation. It will also rely on funding of products right through to pilot production for the first time, the lack of which has been a barrier to commercialisation and hence has limited exploitation in this field in the past. This proposal therefore seeks to create a new molecular and macromolecular materials (MMM) IKC. This will bring together the main research activities in the field at Cambridge, namely in the Electrical Engineering Division (in particular within the Centre for Advanced Electronics and Photonics, CAPE) and in the Cavendish. Together this research spans the MMM field and is recognised as having a world-leading position. A key to this proposed IKC however is that it will also allow much greater interaction and collaboration with those in business than has previously been possible for EPSRC funded research activities. Hence the IKC, if awarded, would allow the creation of tightly focussed commercialisation activities jointly with the Judge Business School, the Institute of Manufacturing (including the EPSRC Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre) and the Centre for Business Research. These will allow the creation of a range of innovative knowledge transfer activities spanning business research, training and specific product exploitation. Finally, the Centre will also allow the secondment of researchers from industry and other universities to the IKC, specifically for knowledge transfer (as opposed to research), and in its later stages make use of the provision of pilot manufacturing lines for prototyping. Reciprocal arrangements will also ensure that academics learn the key features of and improve their effectiveness in exploitation themselves.

Glass has been a key material for many important advances in civilization; it was glass lenses which allowed microscopes to see bacteria for the first time and telescopes which revealed the planets and the moons of Jupiter. Glassware itself has contributed to the development of chemical, biological and cultural progress for thousands of years. The transformation of society with glass continues in modern times; as strands of glass optical fibres transform the internet and how we communicate. Today, glasses have moved beyond transparent materials, and through ongoing research have become active advanced and functional materials. Unlike conventional glasses made from silica or sand, research is now producing glasses from materials such as sulphur, which yields an unusual, yellow orange glass with incredibly varied properties. This next generation of speciality glasses are noted for their functionality and their ability to respond to optical, electrical and thermal stimuli. These glasses have the ability to switch, bend, self-organize and darken when exposed to light, they can even conduct electricity. They transmit light in the infra-red, which ordinary glass blocks and the properties of these glasses can even change, when strong light is incident upon them. The demand for speciality glass is growing and these advanced materials are of national importance for the UK. Our businesses that produce and process materials have a turnover of around £170 billion per annum; represent 15% of the country's GDP and have exports valued at £50 billion. With our proposed research programme we will produce extremely pure, highly functional glasses, unique to the world. The aims of our proposed research are as follows: - To establish the UK as a world-leading speciality glass research and manufacturing facility - To discovery new and optimize existing glass compositions, particularly in glasses made with sulphur - To develop links with UK industry and help them to exploit these new glass materials - To demonstrate important new electronic, telecommunication, switching devices from these glasses - To partner other UK Universities to explore new and emerging applications of speciality glass To achieve these goals we bring together a world-class, UK team of physicists, chemists, engineers and computer scientists from Southampton, Exeter, Oxford, Cambridge and Heriot-Watt Universities. We are partners with over 15 UK companies who will use these materials in their products or contribute to new ways of manufacturing them. This proposal therefore provides a unique opportunity to underpin a substantial national programme in speciality-glass manufacture, research and development.

Topic of centre: Assembly of Functional NanoMaterials and NanoDevices, the focus of this training centre, aims to make significant progress in developing new functional NanoScience and NanoTechnologies for impact in four major areas: Energy Materials, Sustainable NanoMaterials, Nano-Bio Technologies, and NanoElectronics/Photonics. Each of these connects to strong societal challenges, which can be unlocked by critical advances in nano-assembly. The synergistic overlap of the underlying nano-assembly knots all these areas together so they act to pull early-stage overarching developments in clear application directions. Harnessing a massive existing collaboration of >150 interdisciplinary academics and promoting new interactions across the University of Cambridge, we can translate nascent science into real innovation, through the endeavour and focus of the cohorts within this CDT. National Need: Most breakthrough nanoscience relies on scientists bridging disciplinary boundaries. In the UK approach to science training, most graduates selecting PhDs never leave the comfort of their original discipline. Producing a cadre of interdisciplinary nanoscientists is crucial for the UK to develop both the new academic directions and the industrial capabilities to capitalise on the ideas emerging from the fertile ground of Nanoscience. This CDT opens the way to achieve this so that PhD students move into new departments. Our numerous industrial partners strongly emphasise that such broadly-trained interdisciplinary acolytes are highly valuable across their businesses, acting as transformers and integrators of new knowledge, crucial for the UK. These will be trained people in high demand. Approach: The aim of this CDT in Nano is to attract a world-class team of postgraduates and build a high-calibre cohort of self-supporting young Nano scientists bridging our themed areas. The Nano CDT will operate as a distinct PhD nursery, with the entry co-housed and jointly mentored in the initial year of formal courses and project work. It is crucial to develop a programme that encourages young researchers to move outside their core disciplines, and that goes well beyond the fragmented graduate training normally experienced. The 1st year provides high-quality advanced-level training prior to final selection of preferred research projects. Four components are important: - learning additional skills in disciplines outside their 1st degree, including over 30 hands-on practicals in small groups, directly making and characterising nanomaterials and devices. - understanding the Enterprise landscape relating to Nano-Innovation, gaining confidence and know-how for spin-outs, partnering, and what is critical in building high-tech spin-off companies, - gaining specific knowledge of the nanoscience and application of self-assembly to NanoDevices and NanoMaterials, including nano-forces, nano-wetting, commercial nano processing, etc. - miniprojects spanning different disciplines to broaden students' experience and peer networks, aiding final PhD project selection. Three 2-3 month-long interdisciplinary mini-projects within different departments will be undertaken by each student. This coursework is examined leading to an MRes. Students will develop their own PhD topics during interactions with academics across the University and industrial mentors. Students express interest in a ranked list of top 3 projects, and are allocated approval to start building a case around a topic with the two supervisors involved. They are examined in a written proposal, and then a formal viva on the aims, methodologies and technical issues. To prevent the subsequent pressures of research draining the cohort dynamics, a range of joint activities are programmed in later years. Additional exposure includes industrial research reviews, a series of mandatory internal (student-led) conferences, leadership and team-building weekends, and research seminars.