Flexible Oxide Electronics on Unconventional Substrates

Prof. Niko Münzenrieder (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano)

Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 17:15

Johannes Kepler University Linz (HS 13)

Abstract:

Establishing seamless connections between the physical and digital worlds is essential for the development of smart societies, enabling circular industrial processes, and advancing personalized healthcare. Achieving this vision requires the integration of unobtrusive, autonomous sensor systems into both the environment and the human body. However, traditional bulky and rigid electronics are ill-suited for such applications, highlighting the need for lightweight, bio-compatible, and adaptable alternatives. This talk explores the use of unconventional materials, particularly metal oxides, organic compounds, and natural resources to develop flexible electronics with distinctive electrical and mechanical properties. A central focus is on thin-film technologies and low-temperature Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide transistors, directly fabricated on flexible substrates. These devices exhibit excellent performance, remain functional when bent, and can be used to realize analog sensor conditioning circuits. Finally, the integration of thin-film electronics and sensors into everyday objects underscores their potential to enable environmentally sustainable, imperceptible, and wearable systems.