by Mat Dirjish
In collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), organic semiconductor company Smartkem claims it has created the world’s first all-organic-transistor (AOT) biometric sensor. The component promises to significantly increase the sensitivity of optical detection for flexible biometric applications. These include finger or palm print recognition on curved surfaces and addressing challenges such as fingerprint spoofing. By enabling liveness detection techniques, the sensor can capture subtle signals that distinguish real fingerprints from fake ones, either through multi-wavelength imaging or dynamic imaging that reveals motion or blood flow.
Ian Jenks, Chairman and CEO of Smartkem, explains, “This is a true world-first and a powerful demonstration of the many potential use cases for Smartkem’s organic transistor platform. By creating the first fully all-organic-transistor active-matrix biometric sensor, we’ve shown that organic thin-film transistor technology can outperform conventional inorganic sensors in sensitivity, while enabling entirely new classes of flexible, curved biometric devices. This work opens the door to a new generation of lightweight, high-performance bio- and optical sensing.”
A paper describing Smartkem’s technology, titled “Flexible 256×256 All-Organic-Transistor Active-Matrix Optical Imager with Integrated Gate Driver” will soon be available on the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) website. For further details and data, visit the Smartkem website.
Mat Dirjish Online 