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Transparent and flexible led-embedded display film using micro metal mesh

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Abstract

Transparent and flexible displays have garnered attention in relation to digital signage, smart windows, AR devices, and healthcare applications. In this paper, a simple, cost-effective and highly conductive form factor of a transparent and flexible LED-embedded display film is proposed. Via UV imprinting, a micro metal mesh structurally having a high aspect ratio and that features a line width of 12 µm and a thickness of 29 µm was fabricated. It exhibits transmittance of 84.6 % at 550 nm and sheet resistance of 0.124 Ω/sq. A bending test was conducted to demonstrate the flexibility resulting from the mesh structure. The fabrication of a LED-embedded display was achieved through pinnacle die punching to create a perforated region in the film. The display, which measures 10×12 cm with an integrated 8×8 LED array, was demonstrated under bending conditions within a bending radius of 30 mm. Anticipated applications encompass head-mounted displays and head-up displays.

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Abbreviations

LED :

Light emitting diode

TCF :

Transparent conductive film

ITO :

Indium tin oxide

AgNW :

Silver nanowire

AgNP :

Silver nano particles

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by ‘Venture Start-Up Project (2023)’ funded by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The material was provided by J-micro Inc. (Bucheon, Korea).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea

    Munhyung Jo, Dong Jin Kim, Seung S. Lee & Usama Tahir

Authors
  1. Munhyung Jo
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  2. Dong Jin Kim
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  3. Seung S. Lee
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  4. Usama Tahir
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Usama Tahir.

Additional information

Munhyung Jo is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea. His research interests include transparent conductive film and precision engineering.

Dong Jin Kim is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea. His research interests include Transparent conductive film and precision engineering.

Seung S. Lee is a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea. He received his Ph.D. degree from Mechanical Engineering Department at UC, Berkeley in 1995. His research interest is MEMS.

Usama Tahir is a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea. He received his Ph.D. degree from Mechanical Engineering Department at Pusan National University in 2021. His research interest is large-area fabrication.

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Jo, M., Kim, D.J., Lee, S.S. et al. Transparent and flexible led-embedded display film using micro metal mesh. J Mech Sci Technol 38, 357–363 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-1229-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-1229-4

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