Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs
The Physics of Slot-Die and Gravure Coating Associated with Precision Thin Films and Coating Defects
Publication Date
Fall 9-29-2021
Abstract
Enabling future printable and flexible electronic (PFE) devices and technologies requires overcoming the technical challenge of manufacturing precision thin films and features at scale. Coating- and print-feature functionality for PFEs is imparted with dispersed active particulate inks that provide electronic properties via slot-die coating, a pre-metered film-deposition process, and gravure printing, a high-throughput, precision process. Both are poised to be ideal manufacturing technologies for PFEs but require further research to understand particulate effects in defect formation and processability. Therefore, overcoming the technical challenges of precision, throughput, and the complexities of particulate inks is the purpose of this work. For slot-die coating, we developed a two-dimensional model to understand the process's limits and predict the thinnest possible film achievable. We confirmed the existence of the hypothesized third low-flow limit region and established the interplay between the forces in the coating bead and their resulting balance that manifests as each different region. For gravure printing, we coupled machine learning data informatics and micron-scale, high-speed flow visualization to provide a connection between the complex capillary-hydrodynamics at play and the root causes of printing process defects. We confirmed the hypothesized relationship between ribbing and striation formation and that the ribbing instability is a precursor to developing the non-uniformities that index the striation.
Keywords
slot-die, gravure, coating, printing, thin film, printed and flexible electronics
Document Type
Dissertation
Language
English
Degree Name
Nanoscience and Microsystems
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Department Name
Nanoscience and Microsystems
First Committee Member (Chair)
P. Randall Schunk
Second Committee Member
Fernando Garzon
Third Committee Member
C. Randall Truman
Fourth Committee Member
Nelson Bell
Recommended Citation
Malakhov, Robert E.. "The Physics of Slot-Die and Gravure Coating Associated with Precision Thin Films and Coating Defects." (2021). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/nsms_etds/73
