Multi-area micro-wire structure

Abstract

A multi-area micro-wire structure includes a substrate and a micro-wire layer having first and second distinct and separated areas and first and second layer edges, respectively. The second layer edge is different from the first layer edge and the second area is larger than the first area. One or more first micro-wire electrodes and one or more first connection pads are located in the micro-wire layer in the first area. One or more second micro-wire electrodes and one or more second connection pads are located in the micro-wire layer in the second area. Each micro-wire electrode includes one or more electrically connected micro-wires. Each first or second connection pad is located adjacent to the first or second layer edge and electrically connected to a corresponding first or second micro-wire electrode, respectively.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Reference is made to commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Kodak Docket K001667) filed concurrently herewith, entitled “Making Multi-Layer Micro-Wire Structure” by Ronald S. Cok, and commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Kodak Docket K001745) filed concurrently, entitled “Multi-Layer Micro-Wire Structure” by Ronald S. Cok, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein.[0002]Reference is made to commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 023,740, field Sep. 11, 2013, entitled “Multi-Layer Micro-Wire Substrate Structure” by Ronald S. Cok and to commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 023,757, filed Sep. 11, 2013, entitled “Multi-Layer Micro-Wire Substrate Method” by Ronald S. Cok, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to substrate structures and methods for...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a way to make transparent electrodes with micro-wires that are more efficient and cost-effective. The invention provides a method to make a multi-layer micro-wire structure with fewer manufacturing steps, which allows for a more efficient process. Overall, the invention simplifies the process of making transparent electrodes with micro-wires.

Problems solved by technology

Transparent conductive metal oxides are well known in the display and touch-screen industries and have a number of disadvantages, including limited transparency and conductivity and a tendency to crack under mechanical or environmental stress.

Transparent conductive metal oxides are increasingly expensive and relatively costly to deposit and pattern.

Moreover, the substrate materials are limited by the electrode material deposition process (e.g. sputtering) and the current-carrying capacity of such electrodes is limited, thereby limiting the amount of power that is supplied to the pixel elements.

Although thicker layers of metal oxides or metals increase conductivity, they also reduce the transparency of the electrodes.

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