Conducting flexible substrates

Fig. 4.14 (a) Optical transmittance of graphene on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible substrate [19]. Optical and electrical data for PEDOT PSS-based composites with SWCNT (b) transmittance at 550 nm, (c) sheet resistance, (d) DC conductivity and (e) ratio of DC to optical conductivity. 

Surface smoothness and cleanliness of the flexible substrates are both essential to ensure the integrity of subsequent layers such as conductive coatings, TFT arrays, or barrier coatings these properties can be considered separately. 

Attempts have been made to replace the components with new electrode materials, alternative sensitizers and different types of electrolytes. In most cases studies were aimed at achieving advanced properties and applying DSSC in order to meet the requirements of commercial applications and/or to reduce the production cost. An important issue in cost reduction is the fabrication of DSSC on flexible, transparent, conductive plastic substrates [190-192]. The nanocrystalline Ti02 film is considered to be the most promising material for the electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells to generate high performance [193-195]. 

The mounting of SMD components onto PCBs or flexible substrates demands a certain amount of interconnection material (solder or conductive adhesive) to form a correct joint. In contrast to wave soldering, where heat and material (molten solder) are provided simultaneously during the soldering... 

The tag produces an identification (ID) signal, i.e., a radio frequency (RF) signal carrying identification information, capable of being interpreted by an electronic reader device. A preferred tag is fabricated using a printing process to mark a conductive pattern, e.g., comprised of a conductive ink based on silver, carbon, etc., on a flexible substrate, e.g., polyvinyl chloride. In at) -ical application, the flexible substrate is then preferably used to form a wrist band that can be used to identify an individual to permit, deny or otherwise determine the level of access to an area, e.g., a concert, a work area, or other restricted enviromnent. 

Yang and co-workers used the separated metallic SWNTs in a systematic evaluation on transparent conductive films, which also included nanotubes from different sources coupled with various fabrication conditions. It is worth noting that the films were on a flexible substrate (PET), for which dip coating was used. Again, those films from the separated metallic SWNTs exhibited sheet resistance down to 130 Q sq for 80% optical transmittance at 550 nm (Table 6.1). The comparison of nanotube films with ITO coatings on the... 

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