Self-Adhesive Conductive Layer for Printed Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of printed electronic subcomponents is challenging due to compatibility issues with different printing technologies and materials, leading to decreased production yield and increased costs, as well as the complexity of manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A conductive layer comprising a mixture of active organic polymer material, nanofibrillated cellulose, and glycerol, which is self-supportive and self-adhesive, facilitating the integration and reconfiguration of printed electronic devices by providing ionically and electronically conducting properties, and allowing for a 'cut, stick, and peel' technology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different printing technologies and materials are used for printed electronic subcomponents, then device functionality and versatility are improved, but integration compatibility and manufacturing simplicity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidintegration compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive layer is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical conductivity through active organic polymer materials, structural support through cellulose-based materials, and adhesion through glycerol. This multi-functional design allows a single layer to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate layers or components, thereby improving integration compatibility while maintaining device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive layer employs a composite material structure combining three distinct material types: active organic polymer materials for conductivity, cellulose-based materials for structural integrity, and glycerol for adhesion. This composite approach enables the layer to achieve properties that no single material could provide alone, resolving the contradiction between versatility and integration compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate layers are used for conductivity, support, and adhesion, then material functionality is improved, but manufacturing process complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges three separate functional layers (conductive layer, support layer, and adhesive layer) into a single integrated conductive layer. By combining these functions in one layer, the manufacturing process is simplified from multiple deposition steps to a single printing operation, reducing process complexity while maintaining all necessary material functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single conductive layer is designed to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate layers: electrical conductivity, mechanical support, and adhesion. This universal design allows the layer to be manufactured as a single unit, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional conductive materials are used, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but self-adhesion and self-supporting properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidself-adhesion and self-supporting properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive layer uses a composite material system where active organic polymer materials provide electrical conductivity, cellulose-based materials provide self-supporting structural properties, and glycerol provides self-adhesion. This composite approach ensures that electrical conductivity is maintained while adding the previously missing self-adhesion and self-supporting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive layer is designed to be self-supporting and self-adhesive, eliminating the need for separate support substrates or adhesive layers. The cellulose-based materials provide inherent structural support, while glycerol provides inherent adhesion, allowing the layer to serve itself and reducing dependency on external components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables the efficient integration and reconfiguration of printed electronic devices, reducing material and process complexity, and allowing for the creation of flexible, self-adhesive, and self-supporting electronic systems with high stability and versatility in device functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a cellulose based material for making said conductive layer self-supportive; wherein said cellulose-based material is at least partly based on: nanofibrillated cellulose, NFC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNanofibrillated cellulose structural reinforcement:

Implementation Method 2

glycerol for making said conductive layer inherently self-adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-adhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

said active organic polymer material or said electrolyte contributes to said conducting layer being ionically and/or electronically conducting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

said active organic polymer material or said electrolyte contributes to said conducting layer being ionically and/or electronically conducting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectronic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2800102B1Self-adhesive conductive layer
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 RISE ACREO AB
  • EP2800102B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2800102B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(h)
  • EP2800102B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present inventive concept relates to a conductive layer. The conductive layer comprises: a conductive material being an active organic polymer material or an electrolyte, a cellulose based material for making the conductive layer self-supportive; and glycerol for making the conductive layer intrinsically self-adhesive. The present inventive concept also relates to an electronic system using at least the mentioned part of an electronic device, and a method for reconfiguration of electronic devices in such electronic system, and a process for manufacturing at least a part of an electronic device.