Glossary: Disposable flexible circuits

The hottest area of printed electronics is the production of circuits that are low enough in cost to be disposable - or fitted for life to low cost items - and thin and flexible enough to be fitted in a wide range of applications. The applications and potential applications range from electronic window blinds, posters and billboards to wallpaper that displays the television image and smart packaging that prompts, informs, amuses and prevents errors. Most of this report therefore concentrates on disposable flexible electronics but we also cover printed electronics on rigid glass and plastic as precursors of this.