Nanotechnologies in displays: The use of carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires for active matrix backplanes

Carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires are currently actively studied for their applications as electronic materials. Devices made from individual specimens have been shown to exhibit impressive characteristics. However, further development of these materials is hampered by the general problem of their organisation. Here we first review the possible use of carbon nanotubes random networks (that do not need to be organised) in the area of active matrix backplanes. We then present a new way of organising semiconductor nanowires in a thin film transistor, based on the use of lateral porous anodic alumina templates.