Aldrich Materials Science, a technology growth initiative of Sigma-Aldrich (NASDAQ: SIAL), today announced that it has entered into collaboration with Agfa Materials, a division of Agfa-Gevaert N.V., a world renowned imaging and information technology company.
Under the terms of the collaboration, the two companies plan to produce and distribute OrgaconTM conductive polymers for use in high technology applications including, organic photovoltaics, touch screens and printed sensors. Information regarding the products produced via the new collaboration can be found at sigma-aldrich.com/conductingpoly.
The products available under this Agfa/Aldrich Materials Science initiative are specifically targeted at research requiring the highest conductivity PEDOT:PSS, (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) materials and formulations for use in printed electronics applications. The distinct advantages of these materials include enhanced conductivity, transparency, printability, flexibility and patternability.
This agreement supplements other material offerings from Aldrich Materials Science, including silver inks and pastes, in a continued effort to enable research in all areas of organic and printed electronics.
The introduction of four specific OrgaconTM materials complements the existing Aldrich Materials Science PEDOT:PSS portfolio and include:
- Two raw high-conductive PEDOT:PSS materials that can enable researchers to make their own formulations, including a neutral pH version also suitable for high-tech applications such as polymer tandem solar cell devices.
- Two formulated high-conductive PEDOT:PSS materials for researchers who prefer to use highly-optimized, ready-to-use formulations directly in the application. These materials can be readily deposited via a variety of methods including spin coating, drop casting as well as inkjet printing.
"This agreement is a strategic step forward for both companies, as it will allow the addition of these key performance products to the comprehensive and growing Organic and Printed Electronics portfolio offered by Aldrich Materials Science," commented Dr. Frank Louwet, Orgacon Business Manager at Agfa. He further noted, "The availability of these materials in R&D quantities provides researchers worldwide with resources to accelerate application development and commercialization of Orgacon in the emerging fields of printed electronics, OPV and OLED lighting."
The collaboration between Aldrich Materials Science and Agfa offers researchers worldwide a continuous supply of these PEDOT:PSS materials from research through development and manufacturing, with Aldrich Materials Science handling all global research scale distribution and Agfa covering larger scale commercial opportunities.
"We are pleased to offer these high-performance, conductive polymers," noted Kaushik Patel, Ph.D., Global Product Manager at Aldrich Materials Science, adding, "This agreement serves to further enhance the mission of Aldrich Materials Science as a key materials partner offering valuable research solutions in the powerful and potentially transformative fields of organic and printed electronics."