Evaluation of Tool for Processing Metallic Conductive Inks on Low Temperature Substrates

To grow as a market technology segment, Printed Electronics technology components such as advanced displays, RFID tags, batteries, and flexible solar cells must be able to be manufactured at commercial scale and cost, and in novel form factors. The PulseForgeTM tools (patented and patent pending) from NovaCentrix are proposed to address these needs by providing the ability to dry, sinter, or anneal inks and thin-film materials in only milliseconds, and to be able to do so on a wide variety of substrates, including low temperature, flexible materials. A PulseForge 3100 in 12-inch width configuration is used to process nanosilver and nanocopper formulated inks, and a silver screen ink, on PET. The conductivity results are significantly improved from oven processing, to within 3x bulk silver conductivity. Additionally, it is seen that the PulseForge tools are applicable to direct application in volume manufacturing. PulseForge tools can reduce product material costs, reduce manufacturing cycle times, and enable new innovative form factors.