Mead J., Barry C.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell, US
Keywords: nanomanufacturing, polymers, roll to roll
Polymeric materials have tremendous potential for nano and micro-structured products because of their fabrication ease and wide property range. The fabrication processes for polymers are cost-effective and rapid. This work presents novel manufacturing approaches for the incorporation of nano/microscale functionality that are environmentally friendly (melt-based), industrially relevant, and can be transferred to a continuous offset printing based process. Nano or micro-structured surfaces with patterns of different polymers or nanoparticles can be made with directed assembly and transfer to a polymer substrate. The integration of template directed assembly of conducting polymers or nanoparticles into nanoscale patterns followed by transfer to a polymer substrate using a continuous roll to roll process provides a method to prepare unique structures for flexible electronics, metamaterials, structural nanocomposites, icephobic surfaces or biocompatible materials. The work will present offset printing of conducting nanoelements, the fabrication of metamaterials for near-IR and microwave, and the effect of polymer type on the transfer efficiency. This process can be coupled with nanoscale embossing using our two-stage roll to roll line. Substrate materials include designer nanocomposites (thermoplastic polymers with nanoclays, CNTs, silver nanoparticles, etc.) by integrating a roll-to-roll processes with continuous, melt based twin-screw extrusion.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2014: Electronics, Manufacturing, Environment, Energy & Water
Published: June 15, 2014
Pages: 202 - 205
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Sustainable Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4822-5830-1