Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced in late spring the launch of the Japan Advanced Printed Electronics Technology Research Association (JAPERA). Located in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, JAPERA was founded with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of printed electronics—technology for low-power, low-resource manufacturing of large-area devices (e.g., displays, sensors, and batteries) and thin-film, flexible devices with enhanced productivity.

JAPERA aims to achieve early commercialization of manufacturing technologies for flexible devices and printed devices by conducting the project for the “Development of Fundamental Technologies for Next-Generation Printed Electronic Materials and Processes” (fiscal years 2010–2015) under a commission from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Specific research subjects at JAPERA include promoting more environmentally friendly manufacturing of large-area electronic circuits, increasing the energy efficiency of input/output devices for information terminals, and cultivating markets for products with strong industrial competitiveness. JAPERA will also seek to develop technologies to standardize these manufacturing and device technologies.