To create a new kind of crystal-clear electrode to upgrade the quality of display and touchscreen experience, sresearchers have used 3D print technology. Nanowall is a crystal-clear electrode that takes the form of a framework made by ‘Nanowalls’ of gold or silver on a glass surface and is developed by the head of this research team Dimos Paulikakos (Professor of Thermodynamics at ETH University in Zurich, Switzerland). While conserving the optical transference at a high level, this fully flavors enhancing procedure authorizes the printing of high mannered ratio Nanowall and slightly improves the electrical performance.
This metal grid crystal-clear electrodes optimized for low transmittance (94% at a sheet resistance of 8 ohm sq-1) and high transmittance (97% at a sheet resistance of 20 ohm sq-1) can be altered for use in different applications as per demand.
The electrodes are more transparent than the standard material used in today’s smartphones and tablets- Indium tin oxide, which gives touchscreen good screen quality and accuracy.
It has higher conductivity and can be seen with open eyes.
Patrik Rohner, a Ph.D. student in Poulikako’s team, said, “Indium tin oxide is used because the material has a relatively high degree of transparency and the creation of thin layers has been well researched, but it is only moderately conductive.”
The team chooses gold and silver (metals that can conduct electricity much betterto develop more conductive electrodes. Although these metals are not so crystal-clear, the scientists had to use the third dimension.
Paulikakos explained that “If you want to get high conductivity and transparency in wires, made from gold and silver, you have a fight of objectives. The conductivity of wires will increase and grid’s transparency will decrease as the cross-sectional area of these metal; wire grows.”
How do Nanowall works?
- The team used 80 to 500 nanometres thick metal walls for working. The walls are two to four times bigger than its thickness.
- Researcher’s used ‘Nanodrop’- printing process which is developed by Paulikako’s and his colleagues before 3 years, in which they have used inks made from metal nanoparticles in a solvent.
- After that, out of glass vein, an electrical field draws ultra-small droplets of the metallic ink. Then, by permitting a three-dimensional structure to be built up drop by drop, solvents evaporates quickly.