Adhesive Compound with Latent Catalyst for Activatable Getter Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adhesives used for encapsulating (opto)electronic components are prone to degradation due to permeation by water vapor and oxygen, leading to reduced performance and lifespan, as the getter materials are often consumed during storage and transport, losing their barrier properties before application.
Innovation Solution
Development of an adhesive with a catalyst that activates the getter material upon external stimulus, such as UV radiation, allowing the adhesive to switch on its water-binding function only when applied, thereby maintaining its barrier properties until needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a getter material is incorporated into an adhesive to capture permeable substances, then the protective function against water and oxygen is improved, but the adhesive loses its getter capacity during storage and transport due to premature reaction with moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a latent catalyst into the adhesive formulation during manufacturing, but keeping it dormant during storage and transport. The catalyst is activated only after application through exposure to UV light or moisture, which triggers the getter material to react with and capture permeable substances. This ensures the adhesive maintains its getter capacity until the moment of use, preventing premature consumption of the active ingredient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by transforming the catalyst from a latent inactive state to an active state through external stimuli such as UV irradiation or moisture exposure. This parameter change activates the catalytic function, which in turn activates the getter material's ability to capture permeable substances. The reversible or irreversible activation of the catalyst allows the adhesive to switch between storage mode and protective mode, maintaining getter capacity until activation occurs.
2Reliability
If the adhesive is activated immediately upon contact with moisture, then the protective function starts working, but the adhesive cannot be stored or transported without hermetic sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the adhesive with all necessary components (getter material, catalyst, adhesive base) in a dormant state during manufacturing. The catalyst remains latent and does not activate the getter material until exposed to specific external stimuli after application. This allows the adhesive to be stored and transported in conventional conditions without hermetic sealing, while still maintaining its getter capacity ready for activation upon use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a latent catalyst as an intermediary between the adhesive base and the getter material. This intermediary remains inactive during storage and transport, allowing the adhesive to be handled in conventional conditions. Upon exposure to UV light or moisture, the catalyst activates and mediates the reaction between the getter material and permeable substances, triggering the protective function only when needed without requiring hermetic storage.
3Device complexity
If a latent catalyst is used to activate the getter material, then the adhesive can be stored without hermetic sealing, but the adhesive requires additional activation step after application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the activation of the getter material with the curing process of the adhesive by using the same external stimulus (UV light or moisture) to trigger both processes simultaneously. This integration means that the single activation step after application serves dual purposes: activating the catalyst to start the protective function and initiating the adhesive curing process. This reduces the number of separate steps required and simplifies the overall application process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the latent catalyst to perform multiple functions: it activates the getter material to capture permeable substances and simultaneously initiates the curing of the adhesive. This multi-functionality is achieved through the catalyst's ability to respond to the same external stimulus (UV light or moisture) for both activation processes, eliminating the need for separate activation and curing steps and simplifying the application procedure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adhesive maintains its barrier effectiveness by activating the getter material only when applied, significantly increasing the breakthrough time and ensuring the encapsulation of (opto)electronic components without premature consumption of the getter material during storage and transport.
Implementation Method 1
The getter material contained in the adhesive is capable of capturing permeable substances such as water, oxygen, low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, or volatile organic compounds that penetrate the adhesive
Implementation Method 2
The catalyst and thus the getter function can be activated by an external stimulus such as UV radiation, visible light, microwaves, or heat
Data Source
AI summary
An adhesive compound that contains a getter material and optionally a solvent, and a catalytic converter for the reaction of the getter material with a permeate which can be activated by means of an external stimulus, can tolerate short-term contact with permeates such as in particular moisture until application by the user without the getter capacity being appreciably impaired.