Robert J. Petcavich

Selective Inkjet Printing of Conductors for Displays and Flexible Printed Electronics

A mask-less and selective printing of conductor patterns is of significant importance for all display applications. Printing on structured surfaces such as microlenses or gratings is a challenge. Typically used processes require thermal curing to achieve the conductivity. This limits the applicability to flexible display applications where low temperature processes are preferred, especially for roll to roll (R2R) scale up. We have used an approach of printing a catalyst containing ink, followed by an electroless plating of copper. This paper details the processes, microstructures and properties of highly conductive and printed copper on patterned flat surfaces as well as structures with micro-optic lens structures. A process has been developed on surfaces with lens structures where the conductor is required to be in the valley between the lenses and between structures with narrow lines and narrow pitch. This is a low temperature process, requiring a plating bath temperature of <;45°C and thus very compatible with flexible substrates and R2R processing.

70.3: Ink Jet Printing for Selective Conductor Processes for Displays and Flexible Circuits

We have developed a selective process for printing a metal catalyst doped ink and electroless plating a conductor on patterned flat surfaces as well as microlens embossed polymer films. The process involves control of surface energy of the films and patterns so as to channel the ink and the conductor between the patterned structures leaving the remaining areas unaffected and transparent. This is a low temperature process and very compatible with flexible substrates and R2R processing.

P-182: Theory, Design, and Production of Fingerprint Resistant Films for Touch-Enabled Displays

Multi-touch technology, first deployed in the Apple iPhone device, began a revolution on how to interface with mobile devices and, with the release of Windows 7, it has caused an explosion in interest by display manufacturers. Uni-Pixel Displays will present the industry with state of the art in fingerprint-resistant technology.