Discontinuous Metal Layer on Indium Oxide for EM Wave Transmissibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metallic lustrous members with electromagnetic wave transmissibility are limited in their production complexity and cannot utilize metals like aluminum, silver, zinc, lead, or copper for the metal layer.
Innovation Solution
A metallic lustrous member with electromagnetic wave transmissibility is achieved by using an indium oxide-containing layer as an underlying layer, allowing for the formation of a discontinuous metal layer made from metals such as aluminum, silver, zinc, lead, or copper, which are difficult to form in a discontinuous structure otherwise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal film is formed using chromium or indium to achieve electromagnetic wave transmissibility, then electromagnetic wave transmissibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and material selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters by using aluminum, silver, zinc, lead, or copper instead of being limited to chromium or indium. By controlling the film thickness and formation conditions of these alternative metals, the invention achieves electromagnetic wave transmissibility while reducing manufacturing cost and expanding material selection flexibility.
2Reliability
If a discontinuous metal layer structure is formed to improve electromagnetic wave transmissibility, then electromagnetic wave transmissibility is improved, but production process complexity increases for conventional metals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters by selecting metals with lower melting points and higher ductility (aluminum, silver, zinc, lead, copper) that can be formed into discontinuous structures through conventional vapor deposition processes without requiring complex process control, unlike conventional metals.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional metals like aluminum, silver, zinc, lead, or copper are used for the metal layer, then manufacturing cost decreases and material selection flexibility improves, but these metals cannot be formed in a discontinuous structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters by using metals with specific properties (lower melting points, higher ductility) that enable discontinuous structure formation through conventional vapor deposition. This resolves the contradiction by making conventional metals manufacturable in discontinuous structures without requiring advanced manufacturing precision.
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
This solution enables the production of metallic lustrous members with improved electromagnetic wave transmissibility and lustrousness, using a variety of metals for the metal layer, while simplifying the production process.
Implementation Method 1
the metal layer is formed on the indium oxide-containing layer by a physical vapor deposition process
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2
AI summary
It is intended to provide a metallic lustrous member with electromagnetic wave transmissibility, which is capable of being easily produced even when using not only chromium (Cr) or indium (In) but also any of some other metals such as aluminum (Al), as a material for a metal layer thereof. It is also intended to provide a metallic lustrous member with electromagnetic wave transmissibility, which is capable of using silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) or copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof, as a material for a metal layer thereof, in addition to aluminum (Al). The metallic lustrous member with electromagnetic wave transmissibility, comprises an indium oxide-containing layer provided along a surface of a substrate, and a metal layer laminated on the indium oxide-containing layer, wherein the metal layer includes, in at least part thereof, a plurality of portions which are in a discontinuous state.