Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
We describe pressure sensors realised starting from completely flexible organic thin film transistors (OTFTs). A flexible and transparent plastic foil (Mylar) is employed both as substrate and gate dielectric; gold source and drain electrodes are patterned on the upper side of the foil while the gate electrode lies on the opposite side; a vacuum-sublimed pentacene film acts as active layer. The pressure dependence of the output current has been investigated by applying to the gate side of the device a mechanical stimulus by means of a pressurized air flow. Experimental results show a reversible current dependence on pressure; further data analysis suggests that current variations are due to pressure-induced variations of mobility and threshold voltage.