[r9etb]

The only place this stuff should be used is in "use it once and toss" products like RFID, given the fact that plastic ages and deteriorates so quickly. For "real" electronics, I think I'll stick with silicon.

That would depend on the properties of the plastic, wouldn't it? If (as it seems) the plastic itself is the semiconductor, I'd think that the aging properties, etc., would probably be different from your tupperware.

Plus which, it's generally things like UV that break down plastic -- and you can encase the circuits to sheild from that.

[Wonder Warthog]

"That would depend on the properties of the plastic, wouldn't it? If (as it seems) the plastic itself is the semiconductor, I'd think that the aging properties, etc., would probably be different from your tupperware."

Well, no. It's dependent on the "plastic system", which includes all the different possible chemistries of the polymer, plus its additives, plus whatever magic ingredients have to be added to give the plastic its semiconductor properties. Add all this up, and it turns out to be an EXTREMELY complicated matrix. It makes silicon look simple by comparison.

"Plus which, it's generally things like UV that break down plastic -- and you can encase the circuits to sheild from that."

UV is only one of the possible degradation mechanisms, others are HEAT, exposure to oxygen (or ozone). Like I said---REALLY complicated. And all these factors will work to shorten the operational life.