Transparent Composite Sorber Using Polymeric Precursor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing moisture sorbing composite materials for electronic and optoelectronic devices face challenges such as high costs, limited transparency, and incompatibility with semiconductor structures due to the use of nanometric particles and volatile solvents, which complicates manufacturing processes and can damage sensitive devices.

Innovation Solution

A polymeric precursor composition comprising ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the main component, with a metal perchlorate and a polymerization initiator, allowing for complete polymerization in a shorter time with lower energy treatment, maintaining transparency, and minimizing vapor pressure and solvent use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If nanometric particles of active material are used to maintain transparency, then transparency is improved, but handling difficulty and aggregation tendency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidhandling difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter from nanometric scale to micrometric scale (1-100 micrometers), which fundamentally alters the material's handling properties while preserving optical transparency. This parameter change eliminates aggregation tendencies and simplifies manufacturing processes while maintaining the transparency requirement for device integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the particle size distribution within specific ranges (1-100 micrometers) to achieve different balances between transparency and handling ease. By controlling the local particle size characteristics, the invention maintains optical performance while improving manufacturability in different device configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If in situ polymerization is used to create sorbing elements, then moisture sorption capability is improved, but gas release damages sensitive device structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture sorption capabilityVSAvoidgas release damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful gas-generating step (in situ polymerization) from the device manufacturing process. Instead of polymerizing within the sealed device enclosure, the invention pre-pre pares the polymeric precursor composition outside the device, eliminating the release of gaseous species (H2O, O2, CO2) that would otherwise damage sensitive electronic structures or create overpressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs the polymerization action preliminarily, before device assembly. The polymeric precursor composition is prepared and polymerized in advance in a controlled external environment, allowing complete moisture sorption capability development without generating harmful gases inside the device. This preliminary action ensures the sorbing material is ready for immediate use upon insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If discrete sorbing elements are used to remove moisture, then moisture removal effectiveness is improved, but special processing chambers with inert gas atmosphere are required increasing cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture removal effectivenessVSAvoidprocessing chamber requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the special processing chamber requirement from the manufacturing process. By formulating the polymeric precursor composition with pre-dispersed active components in a stable matrix, the invention eliminates the need for expensive inert gas atmosphere processing chambers during device assembly, enabling straightforward manufacturing while maintaining moisture removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining the polymeric matrix with dispersed active sorbing components to create a stable, pre-prepared composition. This composite structure maintains the moisture sorption effectiveness of discrete elements while eliminating the need for complex processing environments, as the composition is stable and ready for direct insertion into devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If organometallic complexes dissolved in organic solvents are used as active phase, then moisture sorption is improved, but cost increases and volatile species release occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture sorptionVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic solvents to water or alcohol-based solvents, which fundamentally reduces cost and eliminates volatile organic species release. This parameter change maintains the solubility and effectiveness of organometallic complexes while removing the harmful and expensive aspects of traditional organic solvent systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cheaper, more environmentally friendly solvents (water or alcohol) instead of expensive organic solvents. These alternative solvents are less hazardous, more readily available, and can be easily removed or evaporated without leaving harmful residues, reducing both material cost and environmental impact while maintaining moisture sorption performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution enables efficient moisture sorption with increased capacity, transparency, and reduced volatile species release, suitable for mass production and use in sensitive devices without compromising their performance or structure.

Implementation Method 1

active components dispersed in suitable porous matrix, wherein as active component or material is intended a chemical species able to absorb moisture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSorption: Sorption

Implementation Method 2

The polymeric precursor composition can be completely polymerized in a short time by a photo- or thermal-induced polymerization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS9475033B2Dispensable polymeric precursor composition for transparent composite sorber materials
Publication Date: 2016.10.25 SAES GETTERS SPA

AI summary

A moisture sorbing acrylic-based composition comprising an ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as main liquid component, and a metal perchlorate therein dissolved is described. Use of the composition in order to obtain a moisture sorber material is also described, to be inserted for example in electronic or optoelectronic devices.