Getter Systems with Porous Active Phase in Low Permeability Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing getter systems face challenges such as insufficient cohesion of powder materials, hindrance of gas sorption reactions due to matrix permeability, and changes in optical properties in applications like OLEDs due to moisture absorption, which affect their performance and transparency.
Innovation Solution
A getter system with a porous material active in gas sorption is inserted inside a low permeability polymeric means, where the active phase is present within the pores of a dispersed 'guest' phase, maintaining invariant physical properties and allowing for reversible or non-reversible reactions, and potentially acting as a catalyst, while being transparent and maintaining optical consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If getter material is dispersed in a permeable matrix, then gas sorption speed is improved, but structural modifications of getter particles are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions with different permeability characteristics. The matrix has controlled permeability to allow gas transport, while local zones around getter particles provide structural support. This enables gas to reach getter particles quickly while allowing particles to undergo necessary structural modifications for effective sorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining matrix material with getter particles in a structured arrangement. The composite structure integrates the gas-permeable properties of the matrix with the sorption capabilities of getter particles, while the matrix provides mechanical support that allows structural modifications without compromising overall integrity.
2Reliability
If getter material is dispersed in a non-permeable matrix, then structural modifications are allowed, but gas sorption reaction is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local quality variations where the matrix provides structural support in certain regions while maintaining gas permeability in transport pathways. This allows getter particles to undergo structural modifications where needed while still enabling gas sorption reactions through controlled permeable zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The matrix acts as an intermediary that mediates between the conflicting requirements of structural support and gas permeability. It provides mechanical support to allow structural modifications while its controlled permeability enables gas transport to getter particles, thus facilitating sorption reactions.
3Quantity of substance
If getter particles absorb moisture, then sorption capacity is improved, but optical properties change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical sensitivity issue from the sorption function by using an optical coupling medium with refractive index matching. This allows the getter particles to absorb moisture for sorption capacity while the coupling medium maintains optical transparency by compensating for refractive index changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting materials with specific refractive index properties. The optical coupling medium is chosen to have a refractive index that remains stable or changes in a controlled manner, allowing the system to maintain optical transparency even as getter particles undergo moisture absorption and their own refractive index changes.
4Illumination intensity
If getter particles are small, then optical transparency is maintained, but sorption efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous structure where small getter particles are distributed throughout the matrix. The small particles maintain optical transparency, while their distributed arrangement and the matrix structure provide sufficient total surface area and pathways for effective sorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from considering only particle size to a multi-dimensional approach by optimizing the spatial distribution, concentration, and arrangement of particles in three-dimensional space. This allows small particles to maintain transparency while their collective distribution provides sufficient sorption efficiency.
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 configuration ensures prolonged efficacy and transparency by preventing external interaction with the matrix, allowing for effective gas sorption without altering the system's optical properties, thus enhancing the performance and lifespan of devices like OLEDs.
Implementation Method 1
Getter materials and systems are widely used in industry in all the applications wherein it is necessary to keep the vacuum, to control the composition of the gaseous atmosphere through the sorption of traces of undesired gases
Implementation Method 2
Another possible approach to the problem is to distribute the getter material inside a dispersing matrix, capable of retaining the getter particles in a fixed location while letting the gases pass towards the getter itself
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Getter systems are described, comprised of a phase (21, 21 ', 21 ", ...) active in the sorption of gas, inserted in the pores (20, 20', ...) of a porous material (12), which is in turn dispersed in a polymeric means (11) with a low permeability to the gas to be sorbed.