Organic Semiconductor Receptor Design for Overflow Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In semiconductor devices using organic semiconductors, droplets of the material often overflow from the channel region, leading to leak currents and affecting the driving and display properties, and existing solutions to prevent this increase the number of processes and costs.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device design where a receptor with an opening connects the channel region to a larger receiving region, allowing the organic semiconductor layer to spread and preventing overflow, using conductive materials for the receptor to reduce additional material needs and costs, and applying liquid repellent treatment to control liquid distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If droplets of organic semiconductor material are ejected onto the channel region, then the organic semiconductor layer can be formed, but the droplets overflow to the periphery causing leak current

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of organic semiconductor layer formationVSAvoidleak current generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the electrode structure into multiple functional regions: a channel region (first region) for transistor operation and a receiving region (second region) for droplet collection. The receptor surrounds the channel region and has an opening that extends from the receiving region to the channel region, creating segmented functional zones that prevent overflow while enabling precise material deposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening in the receptor acts as an intermediary structure that controls liquid flow from the receiving region to the channel region. It allows the organic semiconductor material to be supplied precisely to the channel region while preventing uncontrolled overflow to the periphery, thus mediating between droplet deposition and channel formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If structures are formed around the channel region with lyophilic and liquid repellent treatments, then overflow can be prevented, but the number of processes and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverflow preventionVSAvoidnumber of manufacturing processes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the overflow prevention function from complex surface treatments (lyophilic and liquid repellent treatments) and implements it through a simple structural solution: the receptor with an opening. This structural approach eliminates the need for multiple chemical treatment processes while achieving the same overflow prevention effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The receptor is formed using the same conductive material as the electrodes, eliminating the need for separate materials or complex treatments. This approach uses a simple, cost-effective structural solution rather than expensive or complex chemical processes to achieve overflow prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If the receptor is formed using conductive material, then additional material preparation is eliminated, but the electrical properties must be carefully controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial preparation simplicityVSAvoidelectrical property control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive material serves multiple functions: it forms the electrodes for electrical connection and simultaneously forms the receptor for droplet reception and overflow prevention. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate materials while the conductive nature ensures proper electrical properties are maintained in the transistor structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design ensures precise formation of the organic semiconductor layer, prevents leak currents, and reduces production costs by minimizing the number of materials and processes required.

Implementation Method 1

liquid is supplied to the second region with the result that the liquid can be spread from the second region to wet the first region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

liquid repellent treatment is applied at least on the upper surface of the receptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid repellent treatment: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS8269216B2Semiconductor device, method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.09.18 E INK CORP

AI summary

A semiconductor device including: a substrate; a first electrode and a second electrode, each being formed on the substrate; a first region that is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode; a second region that is connected with the first region; an organic semiconductor layer that is provided in the first region and in the second region; and a receptor of the organic semiconductor layer, the receptor being provided so as to surround the second region and having an opening that extends from the second region to the first region.