Nitrocellulose Silver Compound Conductive Track Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating conductive circuits or tracks on surfaces are expensive and laborious, often limited by the cost and weight of cables, and require complex compounds or laser technology that restricts their application.

Innovation Solution

A compound based on nitrocellulose with added noble metal particles, such as silver, is used, which can be heated to create conductive pathways, utilizing a laser or other heating methods to achieve lower resistivity and improved conductivity, allowing for the creation of conductive tracks with enhanced electrical performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wiring methods are used, then electrical connections are reliable, but the cost and labor required are very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and labor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical wiring operations with a chemical-thermal process. A compound containing metal particles and organic material is applied to the surface, then locally heated to carbonize the organic material and create conductive pathways around the metal particles, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical cable installation and connection operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the organic material by controlling its carbonization through localized heating. By adjusting temperature, heating time, and atmospheric conditions, the organic material transforms from an insulator to a conductor with controlled resistivity, enabling flexible electrical connection creation without mechanical wiring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If laser heating is used to create conductive tracks, then precision and control are improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrack tracing precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an organic material as an intermediary between the heating source and the metal particles. This organic material absorbs thermal energy and transfers it to the metal particles, enabling controlled carbonization and conductive pathway formation. The intermediary allows the use of simpler heating sources while maintaining precision through the organic material's thermal properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material consisting of metal particles dispersed in an organic matrix. This composite structure enables the organic material to serve multiple functions: structural support, thermal energy absorption, and controlled carbonization to create conductive pathways. The composite nature allows simpler heating methods to achieve precise results through the coordinated properties of both components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If metal particles are added to improve conductivity, then electrical performance improves, but the cost of the compound increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidcompound cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of metal particles, specifically using micrometric sizes (1-50 μm), to optimize the balance between conductivity and cost. The particle size affects surface area, contact points, and oxide layer formation, allowing sufficient conductivity with lower metal content compared to finer particles that would require more material to achieve the same conductive network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies metal particles locally at specific locations where conductive tracks are needed, rather than uniformly distributing them throughout the entire compound. The localized heating process concentrates the metal particles and carbonized organic material precisely where conductivity is required, reducing overall metal content while maintaining electrical performance at critical locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 compound enables the creation of high-quality, cost-effective conductive tracks with reduced resistivity, allowing for flexible application and repeatable results, with silver particles of specific sizes showing optimal conductivity when used in combination with nitrocellulose.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam was run over... locally raise the temperature of the cellulose or nitrocellulose in order to carbonize it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

Taking it approximately to 220-230 °C it carbonizes, and its resistivity drops in the range of semiconductors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 3

silver particles of specific sizes showing optimal conductivity when used in combination with nitrocellulose... from a virtually infinite resistivity the nitrocellulose track has come to a resistance of 3500 Ω

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3028548B1Compound to form electrical tracks into
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 TRYONIC
  • EP3028548B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3028548B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method is described for making electrically conductive tracks or areas within a material (20). By using as material cellulose (22) or its derivatives; and by locally raising the temperature of a portion of the material, one can trace tracks in a simple, economic and fast way manner.