UV-Curable Conductive Ink for High-Speed Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conductive materials are not suitable for high-speed printing techniques due to their high viscosity and slow curing times, which limits their application in high-volume electronics production, such as RFID tags and solar cells, where faster production speeds are required.
Innovation Solution
A UV/EB curable conductive material with low viscosity, comprising oligomers, acrylate carriers, reactive monomers, conductive fillers, and photoinitiators, optimized for use in high-speed printing processes like flexography and rotogravure, allowing for rapid curing and high electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional high viscosity conductive materials are used, then they can be applied by screen printing to form electronic circuits, but they cannot achieve high speed printing production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the conductive material by using UV-curable oligomers with low viscosity instead of traditional high viscosity materials. This allows the material to be suitable for high-speed printing methods while maintaining conductivity functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal drying process with UV photopolymerization curing. This substitution enables rapid curing at high printing speeds without requiring long drying times, thus achieving high productivity while using low viscosity materials.
2Productivity
If UV curable materials are used, then curing speed increases and environmental harm is minimized, but the materials must have proper rheological properties for high speed printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the rheological parameters by selecting specific UV-curable oligomers with appropriate molecular weights and structures that provide low viscosity. This enables the material to flow properly during high-speed printing while still curing rapidly under UV radiation.
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 high-speed production of conductive materials with low viscosity and rapid curing, suitable for high-volume electronics applications, achieving resistance values suitable for electronic circuits after UV curing and further reduction with additional heating.
Implementation Method 1
ultraviolet ('UV') curable PTFs generate conductivity by curing the film with UV or electron beam ('EB') radiation after application
Implementation Method 2
one or more photoinitiators
Implementation Method 3
the conductive filler forms interparticle contacts to create a conductive network
Implementation Method 4
resistance values suitable for electronic circuits after UV curing and further reduction with additional heating
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet or electron beam curable conductive material for use in the electronics industry. The conductive material has a low viscosity and is capable of application to a substrate by high speed printing techniques such as flexography and rotogravure and provides high electrical conductivity following cure. The conductive material comprises one or more oligomers, one or more acrylate carriers, one or more reactive monomers such as vinyl ether, conductive filler and one or more photoinitiators. Optional additional ingredients, such as diluents, dispersants, etc. may be added as desired.