Innovation UK > News > Innovation News > Plastic wins gold

A revolutionary plastic substance that can replace silicon in microchips has won gold at the Best of British Innovation awards. SmartKem, which makes the product, is an 18-month old company with four employees and has its eyes on the vast East Asian micro electronics markets.

The advantages of SmartKem?s material include price ? because it is cheaper than silicon ? and increased flexibility. SmartKem has also designed new processes that create high resolution microelectronic components directly only its materials, which has a wide range of potential applications in ultra thin electronic displays, lightweight solar panels, electronic skin patches and intelligent packaging for example.

Based in Denbighshire, North Wales, SmartKem believes that its technology can replace both traditional photolithography ands standard printing techniques to create flexible electronic devices. ?Our main objective is to respond to the demand for low cost, low energy miniaturised devices,? says company CEO Steve Kelly. ?Winning this award will help boost our profile in the printed electronics market and provide us with great exposure for further equity fundraising.?

SmartKem featured at the 2010 Venturefest, which showcases innovative technologies and companies. The company now aims to develop chemicals for plastic-based micro electronics and will allow manufacturers to buy licences to use and make the chemicals themselves.

David Nicholson