ORGANIC SEMINCONDUCTORS, OVER A DECADE OF ACTIVE RESEARCH

Semiconductor devices may still be imaginable as they are incorporated in various objects that people can hardly live without on a day-to-day basis. Mobile phone, wireless phone, transistor radio, the TV set, and the like are just a few examples of computerised objects that make use of radio waves which largely depend on semiconductors (Brain, n.d.). What explanation then lies behind semiconductors that have turned organic? Kids, donned in illuminated shirts, have become common sights as they glide with their skateboards in parks, malls, and suburb streets. Do they wear t-shirts with batteries on? How do these shirts illuminate the way they do? Computers, vehicles, and even fabrics that have been transformed into fashionable shirts and accessories are only few of the objects that now heavily utilise organic semiconductors.
Why use organic semiconductor devices? What makes them more beneficial compared to like objects that function without them? Other than the essential characteristic of low cost that corresponds to mass production, organic semiconductors are inclined to other known advantages such as manageable fabrication as well as mechanics (ibid.). Years of research reveal that organic semiconductors are different from its counterparts based on a number of characteristics that involve “optical, electronic, chemical, and structural properties” (ibid.). Further studies have determined two basic approaches in processing organic semiconductors: solution processing in preparing thin films of soluble polymers and vacuum sublimation in preparing insoluble films (ibid.). These two approaches are expected to yield irregularities (ibid.).
Research on focus. Surprising to many, this field of study has undergone a protracted duration of active research through many years. Research on organic semiconductors had been the focus of scientific investment for over a decade now (Lay-Lay Chua et al., 2005). One similar research has been recently spearheaded by Lay-Lay Chua with other authors (ibid.), who have presented a general observation on organic semiconductors in the context of n-type field-effect behaviour. While the paper of Lay-Lay together with the other authors generalizes its findings on the reaction of n-type conductors, these authors have achieved as well in specifying significant areas in their study.
Two points exhibited. Lay-Lay and the other authors began their discourse by stating the over-a-decade journey of organic semiconductor as a research focus. With this, the authors have emphasized the applications that have emerged in light-emitting displays (LED) and printable electronic circuits (ibid.). The paper authors demonstrate two key points:

The authors stress that these findings should unveil new opportunities to improve the capacities of p-type and n-type behaviours within the parameters of organic complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits (ibid.). As the latter part of the paper progresses, the authors have finally been resolute in confirming the mobility of combined polymers “and that n-FETs can quite readily be realized” (ibid., 195). This notion, the authors earlier clarified, oppose the more popular conception that “electrons are far less mobile” (ibid.). The authors have provided an illustration of n-FETs as obtained from other dieletrics (see figure 1).
The question arises. After the authors have firmly established the notion that electrons are mobile, the next question points out to the indefinable nature of n-FET. This has been keenly observed for the reason that the major gate dielectrics have been thermal SiO2 (also known as hydroxyl-containing polymers) in the forms of poly (vinyl phenol) as well as polyimide (ibid., 197). The authors later explain that the elements found in the dielectric interface can actually reduce the organic semiconductors’ n-channel FET activity (ibid.). The organic semiconductors in this activity are believed to have insufficient large electron affinities (EAs).
Strengths and limitations of the paper. Lay-Lay and the other paper authors have succeeded in passionately detailing the research processes and findings, as emanating from experts in this field of interest. The paper may now further maximize its full potential if it addresses a wider range of audience, who will not only understand the general observation of the expert authors regarding n-type field-effect behavior in organic semiconductors, but also catch a glimpse of the study as a practically relevant resource piece in their daily lives. The paper undeniably talks about an entire process before it hits considerably significant findings, which may likewise be useful to put in layman’s terms. While the authors mentioned the possibility of their findings being relevant to other cases, the paper may have had included in its discourse a situation where similar findings have been earlier or currently applied to other cases. The paper may have not only mentioned examples such as photovoltaic applications in passing, but may have also initiated, perhaps in a more in-depth discussion, how their findings may operate in existing cases.
For the purpose of educating a wider range of readers, the paper may similarly expand in including explanations of the existing differences between n-type and p-type semiconductors as well as other terms that better explain the principles that lie behind organic semiconductors. What makes semiconductors organic? What is organic semiconductor? What are its uses? In what forms are they incorporated? Recently, motor vehicles that make use of natural energy in order to run have been exhibited. However, they project themselves to be expensive alternatives over vehicles that run on fuel. In what terms do they become expensive? How can this be explained within the reader’s appreciation and study of organic semiconductors? How relevant can this subject matter be among readers? These questions pose relevance in a wider section of readers.
Educating the masses on organic semiconductors. Companies as well as institutions are not only active but have likewise created avenues for exploring this field of organic semiconductors (OrgWorld, 2009). Active participants in this area of study include countries in North America, Europe, as well as Asia. OrgWorld in particular promotes upcoming organic semiconductor conferences that will run throughout 2009. Middle of April 2009 calls for a spring meeting in the US, followed by conferences in Spain and Germany (ibid.).