Contactless read-out of printed memory

Contactless read-out of inkjet printed programmable memory is demonstrated. The memory is arranged as a conducting comb pattern consisting of parallel lines adjacent to a common electrode. The information content of the memory is stored in memory bits, which modulate the electrical surface-area of the lines. The data is read-out capacitively by sweeping the tip of a printed circuit board over the memory. The memory bits were printed using silver nanoparticle ink and switched from an initial, high-resistance state to a low-resistance state using rapid electrical sintering, and furthermore, from the low-resistance state to an open-circuit state via fuse-like action. This read-out approach offers potential for low-cost memory applications as well as e.g. resistance-change sensors.

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► Write-once-read-many memory from inkjet printed silver nanoparticle ink on flexible plastic substrate.
► Contactless sweep-over read-out method enabled by capacitive modulation.
► Bit state switching via rapid electrical sintering of silver nanoparticles.