Congratulations to Dr. Xiaotian Li

Flexible circuits were originally developed in the 1950s for interconnection between multiple electronic devices when flexibility and movement were required. Nowadays, flexible circuits can be used for implementing electronic systems much more complicated than just interconnections. With developments in printed electronics, many non-conventional materials can be used in fabricating flexible circuits that have advantages such as increased flexibility, low cost, a small environmental impact, etc. In addition, fast and efficient manufacturing methods can produce flexible electronics in large volumes. This opens a window of opportunity to create electronic systems over geometrically large areas.

This thesis provides general methods and design guidelines on how to implement large-area electronic devices using non-conventional flexible materials and technologies. The thesis specifically focuses on for electronic systems that integrate both digital and analogue signals. Further, it demonstrates and provides examples of how signals in the microwave frequencies, commonly requiring expensive materials, can be handled with non-conventional materials and technologies.