Transparent Conductive Pattern With Dual-Side Darkening Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically-conductive thin-film articles, such as antennas, face a challenge in achieving both high optical transparency and low surface resistance, as materials like copper offer low resistance but poor transparency, while ITO or silver provide high transparency but higher resistance, affecting antenna performance.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves creating an article with a transparent substrate and an electrically-conductive metal-containing pattern that includes a first darkening agent on one surface of the metallic pattern and a second darkening agent on the opposing surface, reducing reflectivity and enhancing visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copper films are used to achieve low surface resistance, then electrical conductivity is improved, but optical transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the metallic pattern into two surfaces, applying darkening treatment selectively to each side. This segmentation allows the metal to maintain its inherent electrical conductivity while the darkened surfaces reduce optical reflectivity, effectively resolving the contradiction between electrical performance and optical transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies darkening agents that chemically alter the surface color of the metal from bright/reflective to dark/black. This color change reduces optical reflectivity and improves apparent transparency when viewed through the substrate, while the bulk metal retains its excellent electrical conductivity properties.
2Illumination intensity
If ITO or silver are used to achieve high optical transparency, then optical transparency is improved, but surface resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining metal (for electrical conductivity) with darkening agents (for optical performance). This composite approach allows the system to achieve both low surface resistance from the metal and high optical transparency from the darkened surfaces, overcoming the limitations of using ITO or silver alone.
3Reliability
If metallic patterns are made visible to ensure antenna function, then electrical conductivity is maintained, but optical transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different sides of the metallic pattern. The bulk metal maintains its conductive properties for antenna function, while the surfaces are selectively darkened to reduce visibility. This local differentiation allows the antenna to perform its electrical function while appearing transparent or invisible when viewed through the substrate.
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 reflectivity of the metallic patterns, making them less observable, especially when viewed from either side of the substrate, thus improving the optical transparency and electrical conductivity of the thin-film articles.
Implementation Method 1
Opposing surfaces of the electrically-conductive metal-containing pattern containing a metallic pattern have been darkened with appropriate darkening agents, to reduce metallic light reflectivity
Data Source
AI summary
An article is provided to have a transparent substrate; and an electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern disposed on a surface the transparent substrate. The electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern has, in order outwardly from a surface of the transparent substrate: a first darkening agent; a metallic pattern; and a second darkening agent. The first darkening agent substantially conforms to a first surface of the metallic pattern, forming a first darkened surface on the metallic pattern. In addition, the second darkening agent is disposed over at least a portion of a second surface of the metallic pattern, forming a second darkened surface on the metallic pattern.