Nanoparticle Agglomerate Size Control in Resin for Touchscreens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for agglomerating nanoparticles to form larger agglomerates for pressure-sensitive touchscreens result in a small proportion of outliers that are too large, leading to inconsistent pressure sensitivity and false triggering due to their varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mixing nanoparticles with resin, followed by bead milling at controlled power to reduce the size of excessively large agglomerates, and subsequent filtering through a 10 micrometre mesh to ensure none exceed the specified size, maintaining the correct-sized agglomerates' integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nanoparticles are agglomerated to form larger agglomerates for touchscreen application, then the pressure sensitivity function is enabled, but large outlier agglomerates are created that cause inconsistent pressure sensitivity and false triggering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes outlier agglomerates that are too large by filtering the resin mixture through a filter with openings of 10 micrometres or less. This extraction of harmful large agglomerates eliminates the cause of inconsistent pressure sensitivity and false triggering, while preserving the beneficial smaller agglomerates that provide reliable pressure sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the bead milling process by limiting the power input to prevent excessive reduction of agglomerate size, and controls the filtering step by selecting filter openings of 10 micrometres or less. These parameter changes ensure that agglomerates remain within the optimal size range (5-10 micrometres) for consistent pressure sensitivity without creating harmful outliers.
2Manufacturing precision
If bead milling is applied to reduce agglomerate size, then large outliers are reduced, but excessive milling may reduce all agglomerate sizes below the optimal range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies bead milling with controlled power to achieve partial action - enough to reduce large outlier agglomerates but not so much as to reduce all agglomerates below the optimal 5 micrometre minimum. This controlled partial action maintains the size distribution needed for both manufacturing precision and reliable pressure sensitivity function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors the agglomerate size distribution during the bead milling process and adjusts the power input accordingly. By providing feedback on the size distribution, the process can be controlled to stop before excessive milling occurs, ensuring agglomerates remain within the optimal size range for touchscreen functionality.
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 approach effectively reduces the number of large agglomerates, maintaining the desired size distribution, enhancing the consistency of pressure sensitivity and preventing false triggering in touchscreens.
Implementation Method 1
following evaporation of the solvent, a cover sheet may be arranged over the layer of dry resin
Data Source
AI summary
A method of agglomerating nanoparticles to form larger agglomerates is shown. The nanoparticles are mixed with a resin to form a first mixture (803) of agglomerates, having sizes over a range that includes agglomerates considered to be too large, suspended in the resin. A bead milling cylinder (802) produces a second mixture (808) with fewer large agglomerates. A filter (1001) removes the remaining large agglomerates. The resulting mill base is cut with a solvent before deployment.