Capacitive user interface designers want the modern look of backlit keys but have to create complex designs when using traditional circuits which are opaque. PEDOT sensors are translucent circuits, which allow lighting to pass through them. The result is a capacitive key which can be backlit through the circuit.

Customers want backlit capacitive keys on a curved surface, but indium tin oxide (ITO) is too brittle and inflexible to accommodate curves. PEDOT is a flexible translucent conductive sensor. When applied to a polyester substrate, it can be implemented to three-dimensional surfaces allowing for more elaborate designs.

OEMs want to design backlit capacitive keys but have limited space that restricts the allowable thickness of the keypad. Previous methods of backlighting with an opaque circuit (PCBs, polyimide or polyester) were too thick. PEDOT sensors support backlighting techniques that create space savings when compared to other techniques.

Touch-based technologies built around ITO are costly and require the use of expensive optically clear adhesive (OCA). PEODT sensors are more cost effective to manufacture and can be applied using standard pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA).

This is not a definitive list of applications for this product. It represents some of the more common uses.