Smart Materials On Glass – Present And Future

Allan Craig & John Cocker

Today, commercial production of heated backlights with fi red-on silver tracks is achieving 250 micron resolution in high yields. Concurrently, production of Plasma Display TV panels is achieving 70 micron resolution, also in high yields. This paper will highlight the technologies used now for these
applications and present possible alternatives for high volume manufacturing of conductive tracks on
glass.

Thick film deposition by screen printing is a well established technique for patterning conductors, dielectrics and resistors on a variety of substrates, including glass, alumina, steel and polyester.

However, it is really during the last ten years that it has blossomed into a state-of-the-art technology for
manufacture of complex microcircuits, components and photovoltaics. Because of their intrinsic properties, these materials provide unique performance and reliability in a variety of markets including Automotive and Wireless.

More volume applications are continuing to emerge in contactless smartcards, biosensors and electroluminescent lighting. A brief review of these applications and related technologies will be given
with a view to future functionality on glass of a similar nature.

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