Printable and flexible electronics: From TFTs to bioelectronic devices

Printable and flexible thin-film transistors (TFTs) have gained significant attention over the last few years thanks to their implementation in many different sectors. Beside applications in large-area electronics such as flat displays, sensors and radio frequency identification tags, these devices have been widely investigated for life sciences applications too, including label-free biosensors, systems for drug delivery and implantable platforms. This review highlights the recent advances in the field of highly performing low-cost TFT devices realized by printing or printing compatible technologies and suitable for bioelectronics applications. Novel printable materials used as semiconductors, dielectrics and electrodes as well as printing technologies useful for the realization of the elicited devices are discussed as well. Particularly attention is given to printing techniques employed for the deposition of biological materials and to methods for realizing label-free electronic biosensors.