SBIR Phase I: Chemically Vapor Deposited Hydrophobic Dielectric Polymer Thin Films

SBIR 第一阶段：化学气相沉积疏水性介电聚合物薄膜

• 批准号: 1143160
• 负责人: Aleksandr White
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: GVD CORPORATION
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2012-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1143160&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Chemically; Vapor; Deposited

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will explore the failure mechanisms associated with hydrophobic dielectric coatings used in electronic paper (E paper) displays. Specifically, electrowetting (E paper) displays require such coatings in order to modulate the contact angle of colored fluids and produce visual images. In order to provide adequate electrical insulation, conventional dielectric coatings must be deposited at thicknesses that require high voltage operation. Conventional hydrophobic coatings deposited on top of these dielectrics are encumbered by electrolyte entrapment (which diminishes the electrowetting effect over time) and poor substrate conformality. We will design improved hydrophobic dielectrics that address the shortcomings of conventional offerings. Specifically, we will develop novel hydrophobic dielectric polymer coatings that exhibit the required combination of thinness, uniformity, and performance. The Phase I effort will identify promising coating recipes based on dielectric failure testing and electrowetting modulation testing. In Phase II, strategies will be developed for reducing dielectric coating defects to manufacturing levels, with an eye towards commercialization.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is embodied in the project's anticipated advance of the state-of-the-art in thin dielectric coatings, which are used in a wide range of applications. Applications in which these coatings are simultaneously exposed to ionic solutions and electrical potentials are particularly challenging. Such applications include E paper (electrowetting) displays, implanted medical devices (e.g. neuroprosthetics, cardiac pacemakers), and military electronics. The need to prevent ingress of water and ions is acute in these applications, avoiding the short circuiting and corrosion of encapsulated electronics. Thin dielectric coatings are increasingly being viewed as viable alternatives to bulkier, more expensive hermetic packaging. While thin inorganic coatings have often been employed in similar cases, the attendant high cost and high processing temperatures associated with these materials may be prohibitive. Organic polymer encapsulants are generally not considered to be hermetic, but the assumption that electronic device hermeticity is required is often erroneous. It is anticipated that this project will facilitate both a better match between coating performance and actual device needs, and the manufacturing of reliable, lower cost electronics.

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将探索与电子纸（E纸）显示器中使用的疏水介质涂层相关的失效机制。具体来说，电润湿（E纸）显示器需要这样的涂层，以调节彩色流体的接触角并产生视觉图像。为了提供足够的电绝缘，传统的介电涂层必须沉积在需要高压操作的厚度上。传统的疏水涂层沉积在这些电介质的顶部，受到电解液夹带（随着时间的推移会减少电润湿效果）和衬底一致性差的阻碍。我们将设计改进的疏水电介质，以解决传统产品的缺点。具体来说，我们将开发新型疏水介质聚合物涂层，该涂层具有所需的厚度、均匀性和性能组合。第一阶段的工作将根据介电失效测试和电润湿调制测试确定有前途的涂层配方。在第二阶段，将开发将介电涂层缺陷降低到制造水平的策略，并着眼于商业化。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力体现在该项目对最先进的薄介质涂层的预期进展中，该涂层被广泛应用。这些涂层同时暴露于离子溶液和电位的应用尤其具有挑战性。这些应用包括电子纸（电润湿）显示器、植入式医疗设备（如神经修复术、心脏起搏器）和军用电子产品。在这些应用中，需要防止水和离子的进入，以避免封装电子元件的短路和腐蚀。越来越多的人认为，薄介质涂层可以替代体积更大、更昂贵的密封包装。虽然薄无机涂层通常用于类似的情况，但与这些材料相关的高成本和高加工温度可能令人望而却步。有机聚合物封装剂通常不被认为是密封的，但电子设备需要密封性的假设往往是错误的。预计该项目将促进涂层性能与实际设备需求之间的更好匹配，并制造可靠，低成本的电子产品。