Printed electronics as a newly emerged electronics discipline has received increasing attention in recent years. Electronic and optoelectronic devices and systems fabricated by printing are of several distinctive advantages, such as large area, flexible, customizable, low cost and environmental friendly. Though printing's resolution is not as high as conventional microfabrication, the above advantages are enough to warrant many new applications. This article gives a comprehensive introduction of the definition of printed electronics, its origin and development history. Based on the author's own many years experience, the technology and commercialization challenges for printed electronics are analyzed. The future development trend is described. It is hoped that this article will give readers an overview of the new technology.

printed electronics  /  flexible electronics  /  inorganic nanomaterials  /  internet of things  /  green manufacturing