Conductive Ink for Offset Printing via Silver-Coated Copper
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of suitable conductive inks for offset printing that can produce electronic products with the required characteristics, as existing materials are either not available or inadequate for meeting the demands of printed electronics, particularly in terms of functionality and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A conductive ink is developed using copper particles coated with silver, combined with silver particles and a modified rosin resin, dispersed in an oily medium, which is then processed in a three-cylinder mill to achieve finenesses smaller than 3 microns, allowing for high-quality printing and thermal curing on paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional printing methods (photolithography, PVD, CVD) are used to achieve high definition in small areas, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical manufacturing processes (photolithography, PVD, CVD, etching, lift-off) with a direct offset printing method. The conductive ink containing metal particles is applied through offset printing and cured thermally, eliminating the need for multiple sequential mechanical steps and achieving both high definition and high productivity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter from using pure metal layers requiring subsequent processing to using conductive ink with metal particles suspended in a vehicle. This parameter change allows direct printing of conductive patterns without etching or lift-off steps, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity
2Productivity
If conventional printing methods are used to increase work surface area, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces serigraphy (sieve-based) and other conventional large-area printing methods with offset printing technology. The offset printing process uses a rubber roller to transfer ink from a printing form to the substrate, providing consistent pressure and contact that ensures high definition across large areas while maintaining productivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If functional inks with electronic functionality are developed for offset printing, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to material development requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of metal particles (silver, copper, aluminum, or their alloys) suspended in a vehicle (solvent and resin). This composite structure provides electronic functionality through the metal particles while the vehicle system ensures proper ink flow, adhesion, and curing characteristics for offset printing application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal conductive ink system that can be applied to various substrates (paper, plastic, metal, fabric) and cured by different methods (thermal, UV, electron beam). The ink formulation with metal particles and vehicle provides multi-functionality across different applications and substrate types without requiring complex specialized materials for each case
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 ink achieves suitable conductive properties with high definition and resolution, compatibility with offset printing processes, and efficient thermal curing, enabling the production of conductive imprints on paper with improved stability and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
introduced into a three-cylinder mill for at least 15 minutes until attaining finenesses smaller than 3 microns
Implementation Method 2
the subsequent curing thereof in a tunnel, thus producing conductive imprints
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for producing a conductive ink for offset printing and conductive ink thus produced, the method of which is based on adding metal copper particles coated with silver and/or silver particles, both with a size smaller than three microns, to an oily dispersion medium made up of a solvent, an anti-drying agent and a resin, the mixture of which is introduced into a three-cylinder mill for at least 15 minutes until attaining finenesses smaller than 3 microns, for the later printing thereof in an offset machine on paper and the subsequent curing thereof in a tunnel, thus producing conductive imprints.