TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: The encapsulated device comprises at least one second barrier stack located between the semiconductor substrate and the microelectronic device. The second barrier stack comprises at least one second barrier layer and at least one second polymer layer. The first and second barrier layers are substantially transparent.The encapsulating microelectronic device further comprises: a polymer smoothing layer adjacent to the substrate; a scratch resistant layer adjacent to the substrate; an antireflective coating; an antifingerprint coating; and/or an antistatic coating.A plastic substrate is adjacent to the semiconductor substrate opposite the microelectronic device. At least one third barrier stack is located between the plastic substrate and the polymer substrate. The third barrier stack comprises at least one third barrier layer and at least one third polymer layer. A lid is adjacent to at least one first barrier stack. The microelectronic device is embedded in the semiconductor substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: At least one of the first barrier layers comprises a material selected from metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal oxynitrides and/or metal oxyborides.The metal oxides are selected from silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, indium tin oxide, tantalum oxide, zirconium oxide and/or niobium oxide. The metal nitrides are selected from aluminum nitride, silicon nitride and/or boron nitride. The metal oxynitrides are selected from aluminum oxynitride, silicon oxynitride and/or boron oxynitride.At least one of the first barrier layers and at least one of the second barrier layers is selected from opaque metals, opaque ceramics and opaque cermets.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: At least one of the first barrier layers and at least one of the second barrier layers is selected from opaque polymers. At least one of the first polymer layers and at least one of the second polymer layers comprises an acrylate-containing polymer.