Date of Award

8-2008

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Chemical and Paper Engineering

Department

Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging

First Advisor

Dr. Margaret K. Joyce

Second Advisor

Dr. Paul D. Fleming III

Third Advisor

Dr. Alexandra Pekarovicova

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Interest in the printed electronics is increasing on a day-to-day basis. To utilize the concept of printed electronics on a wider range, printed circuit needs to perform more and more efficiently. The simplest printed circuit components include conductive traces, which can function as interconnects or contact electrodes. There are still some limitations to the conductivity of printed traces. Previous results showed an improvement in the conductivity of printed traces with a post cure treatment of 4 hours at 105°C. The present research explores a different approach towards improving conductivity using a post calendering treatment on-line.

The effects of calendering temperature, pressure and the combination of both were observed to improve the conductivity of traces. The results from this study suggest that conductivity can be improved in-line and thus eliminates the need for further post-treatment. The effects of temperature and pressure during calendering were studied and statistical methods were used to determine the effect of calendering on various properties, such as ink conductivity, roughness, ink film thickness and RFID antenna performance.

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