Dave Savastano09.29.14
In an efective partnership, Heraeus is providing Clevios PEDOT conductive polymer materials and patterning agents, and the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan (ITRI) application know-how, demonstrating new alternative technologies for the touch panel industry.
Advanced electronic materials play a key role in touch panel technologies, such as projective capacitive touch screens (PCTs). Equally application know-how plays a vital part in the success of the new material to be used in device manufacture. Together the organizations achieved the transfer from Lab to Fab showing that touch panels using Clevios PEDOT:PSS as the electrode can economically be produced.
In a joint project between Heraeus and the Electrical and Optical Laboratories of ITRI, a set of 3.5 inch GF1 type touch sensors were built. The work successfully combined Heraeus materials knowledge with ITRI’s strength to develop mass production processes.
The touch sensors were based on a Clevios coated transparent conductive PET with a surface resistance of 150 ohm per sq. The experts at ITRI subsequently patterned the film using Heraeus invisible etch technology which employs Clevios SET S, a printable mask. In this initial project between Heraeus and ITRI, the wet chemical patterning process was optimized to meet the required layout, alignment and design. The project has provided the confirmation that fully functioning non-metallic touch panels are ready to be scaled up to production volumes. Heraeus has been collaborating with ITRI since the fourth quarter of 2013.
“With ITRI, we have found a partner to help us shape and design touch technologies from start to finish,” said Dr. Stephan Kirchmeyer, global technical director for the Display & Semiconductor Business at Heraeus.
“The co-operation with Heraeus has shown the options for touch panel makers are broader than just metallic based ITO-alternatives,” Dr. C.T. Liu, vice president and general director at ITRI, added.
The Clevios PEDOT:PSS range from the Display & Semiconductor Business Unit of Heraeus consists of materials for antistatic through to highly conductive applications. Materials are modified for their application method, usually printing or coating, and for their end application requirements. Typically Clevios coatings can reach 100 -250 ohm/sq. at a transparency of 90% (excluding substrate film). Clevios is increasingly finding applications in touch panels and sensors, as well as OLEDs, organic solar cells and security coatings.
Advanced electronic materials play a key role in touch panel technologies, such as projective capacitive touch screens (PCTs). Equally application know-how plays a vital part in the success of the new material to be used in device manufacture. Together the organizations achieved the transfer from Lab to Fab showing that touch panels using Clevios PEDOT:PSS as the electrode can economically be produced.
In a joint project between Heraeus and the Electrical and Optical Laboratories of ITRI, a set of 3.5 inch GF1 type touch sensors were built. The work successfully combined Heraeus materials knowledge with ITRI’s strength to develop mass production processes.
The touch sensors were based on a Clevios coated transparent conductive PET with a surface resistance of 150 ohm per sq. The experts at ITRI subsequently patterned the film using Heraeus invisible etch technology which employs Clevios SET S, a printable mask. In this initial project between Heraeus and ITRI, the wet chemical patterning process was optimized to meet the required layout, alignment and design. The project has provided the confirmation that fully functioning non-metallic touch panels are ready to be scaled up to production volumes. Heraeus has been collaborating with ITRI since the fourth quarter of 2013.
“With ITRI, we have found a partner to help us shape and design touch technologies from start to finish,” said Dr. Stephan Kirchmeyer, global technical director for the Display & Semiconductor Business at Heraeus.
“The co-operation with Heraeus has shown the options for touch panel makers are broader than just metallic based ITO-alternatives,” Dr. C.T. Liu, vice president and general director at ITRI, added.
The Clevios PEDOT:PSS range from the Display & Semiconductor Business Unit of Heraeus consists of materials for antistatic through to highly conductive applications. Materials are modified for their application method, usually printing or coating, and for their end application requirements. Typically Clevios coatings can reach 100 -250 ohm/sq. at a transparency of 90% (excluding substrate film). Clevios is increasingly finding applications in touch panels and sensors, as well as OLEDs, organic solar cells and security coatings.