Flexible Electrode Structure Using 2D Conductive Materials

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transparent electrodes, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), lack flexibility and high transparency, and alternative materials like tin oxide and zinc oxide have insufficient conductivity and flexibility, making them unsuitable for flexible display devices with touch detection functions.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layer electrode structure is developed, featuring alternating conductive and nonconductive layers with two-dimensional conductive materials like silver nanowires, graphene, or carbon nanotubes, along with a binder and anti-reflection coatings, to enhance flexibility and conductivity while maintaining transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional transparent electrode materials such as ITO are used, then sufficient transparency and conductivity are achieved, but flexibility is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into multiple thin conductive layers (first conductive layer, second conductive layer) separated by nonconductive layers, allowing each layer to be thinner and more flexible while collectively providing sufficient conductivity and transparency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structures including two-dimensional conductive materials, silver nanowires, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and metal meshes combined with nonconductive layers to achieve both flexibility and electrical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If substitute materials like tin oxide or zinc oxide are used to replace ITO, then cost and availability issues are addressed, but conductivity and flexibility remain insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial availabilityVSAvoidconductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material structures including two-dimensional conductive materials, silver nanowires, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and metal meshes combined with nonconductive layers to achieve both flexibility and electrical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by using two-dimensional conductive materials with superior electrical properties compared to conventional oxides, achieving lower sheet resistance while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single-layer transparent electrode is used, then manufacturing is simple, but flexibility and conductivity cannot be simultaneously optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-layer two-dimensional structure to a multi-layer three-dimensional stacked structure, enabling optimization of flexibility, conductivity, and transparency through layer arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 electrode structure achieves improved flexibility and reduced sheet resistance, making it suitable for flexible display devices with touch detection capabilities while maintaining comparable haze levels to single-layer transparent electrodes.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer includes a two-dimensional conductive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

anti-reflection coatings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-reflection coating effect: Anti-Reflective Coating

Implementation Method 3

The first nonconductive layer, the second nonconductive layer and the third nonconductive layer may include a binder which is wet-coated with the conductive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11422658B2Electrode structure and touch detecting sensor using the same

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electrode structure includes: a first nonconductive layer; a first conductive layer disposed on the first nonconductive layer; a second nonconductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer; a second conductive layer disposed on the second nonconductive layer; and a third nonconductive layer disposed on the second conductive layer, where at least one of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer includes a two-dimensional conductive material.