SmartKem has announced that the company has signed materials testing agreements with a number of leading Asian companies in the chemical and electronics sectors. The agreements will see SmartKem’s innovative organic semiconductor inks tested for use in printable electronics applications for products such as state-of-the-art eReaders, Tablet PC’s, Smartphones and TV’s.

The agreements demonstrate the strong market demand for these types of organic materials in the highly technological Asia region, and come following the recent appointment of SmartKem’s Japanese representative, Dr.Hirai, as well as agents in both Korea and Taiwan. Dr Harai was previously with Canon and has a long involvement with the development of organic transistors.

In Europe SmartKem has relationships with a number of companies in the eReader sector, although the company declined to be more specific of who these may be.

Smartkem’s organic semiconductor materials have been independently evaluated by PETEC and are reported to have electron mobilties of 3 to 4 cm²/vs for short-channel lengths transistors. No details of on/off ratios or lifetimes where provided.

Smartkem is expected to seek additional funding during the course of 2012, and will use the funds to expand technical development and commercialisation.

Steve Kelly, CEO of SmartKem, said, “Our partnerships with these corporations stems from our ability to establish materials with state-of-the-art electronic performance and stability. We are excited to be moving into the next phase of our journey. These agreements provide verification that our organic semiconductor materials have the potential to satisfy the needs of the display sector and provide us with an encouraging platform for further growth and investment.”

www.smartkem.com