pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S11 - Additive Manufacturing
Keynote Presentation
 
 

Direct Ink Writing Based Rapid Throughput Method For Printing Of Ultrathin Stretchable Electronic Materials

Joo Piljae (1), Jana Sadhan C (1)*, Amis Eric J (1)

(1) University of Akron - OH - USA

Ultra-thin stretchable polymeric electrode materials for next-generation wearable electronics must meet two requirements - the mechanical integrity must be maintained at large deformation and the electrical conductivity must not deteriorate at high extensional strain. However, it is difficult to obtain a balance of electrical and mechanical properties in stretchable polymeric materials. Experimental work often calls for costly optimization efforts owing to inverse relationship of electrical conductivity and mechanical strength in filled polymer compounds. In this work, a facile combinatorial method of fabrication is developed based on direct ink writing (DIW) using a binary mixer of an elastomer and its corresponding conductive compound. The material system is composed of conductive carbon black and a solution of maleated styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS). The final stretchable binder system is prepared in situ by guiding solutions of SEBS and SEBS masterbatch through a static mixer before printing conductive layers on a substrate by DIW. The combination of static mixing and DIW allows rapid fabrication of an array of conductive layers with gradients of electrical conductivity. Joule heating in conjunction with infra-red camera is used for quick screening of electrical performance of printed materials at various states of elongation and flexure. The study establishes a DIW-based rapid throughput method for evaluation of stretchable electrically conductive materials.