Transparent Electrode with Light-Absorbing Layer for Reduced Reflectance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transparent electrodes made of metal wires in touch screen panels face challenges in achieving high conductivity and transmittance while minimizing light reflectance, which affects visibility due to the inherent opacity of metal materials.
Innovation Solution
A transparent electrode is developed with a light absorbing layer having a black characteristic formed on the surface and partition walls of metal wires with a fine line width and high aspect ratio, using a printing process that includes imprinting and thermal treatment to reduce light reflectance without compromising transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the line width of the conductive wire is reduced to improve transmittance, then the transmittance is improved, but the sheet resistance increases and conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar printing to three-dimensional wire formation through imprinting. This dimensional change enables the creation of conductive wires with controlled cross-sectional areas, allowing fine line widths for high transmittance while maintaining adequate wire thickness for low sheet resistance. The imprinting process forms raised wire structures that provide both optical transparency and electrical conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the conductive wire by controlling line width, thickness, and aspect ratio through the imprinting process. By optimizing these parameters—specifically creating high aspect ratio wires with fine line widths and controlled thicknesses—the patent achieves simultaneous improvement in transmittance and conductivity that cannot be achieved with conventional printing methods.
2Reliability
If the thickness of the conductive wire is increased to improve conductivity, then the sheet resistance decreases, but the transmittance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating conductive wires with non-uniform cross-sections and varying thicknesses in different regions. The imprinting process enables localized control of wire thickness, allowing thicker sections where conductivity is critical and thinner sections where transmittance is prioritized. This spatial variation in wire properties optimizes the balance between conductivity and transmittance.
3Reliability
If a metal wire mesh structure is used to provide conductivity, then the electrical conductivity is improved, but light reflectance increases and visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color change principles by forming a light-absorbing black layer on the metal wire surfaces through imprinting and thermal treatment. This black coating reduces light reflectance from the metallic surfaces, preventing visual recognition of the electrode mesh while maintaining electrical conductivity. The color transformation from reflective metal to light-absorbing black surface resolves the visibility issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light-absorbing black layer as an intermediary substance between the metal wire and the external environment. This intermediate layer serves as a mediator that absorbs incident light, preventing direct reflection from the metal surface while allowing electrical current to pass through the wire. The intermediary layer thus decouples the optical and electrical functions.
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 effectively minimizes light reflection on the conductive wire surfaces, enhancing visibility in display devices by forming a thin light absorbing layer on the metal wire surfaces and partition walls, thereby improving the visibility of the screen without reducing the transmittance of the transparent electrode.
Implementation Method 1
a light absorbing layer having black characteristic is formed on a lower surface, a partition wall, and/or an upper surface of the metal wire, and thus, the light reflectance at the transparent electrode is minimized
Data Source
AI summary
In a transparent electrode based on a metal material having reduced light reflectance, a light absorbing layer having black characteristic is formed on a lower surface, a partition wall, and/or an upper surface of a metal wire, and thus, light reflectance of transparent electrode is minimized. In a method of manufacturing a transparent electrode, the light absorbing layer can be selectively formed on the upper and lower surfaces and the partition wall of the metal wire having a fine line width by using self-aligning and a spontaneous pattern effect. A conductive wire is implemented by using an imprinting process using an elastic body-based stamp, and thus, conductive wires having a fine line width and an excellent aspect ratio can be formed, so that it is possible to improve electric conductivity and transmittance.