Flexible printed sensor tape based on solution processed materials

The Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) is conducting a technical program to develop and prototype disposable flexible blast dosimeter tapes to detect the occurrence of events that cause traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a medical condition that is cumulative and triggered by events such as blast pressure waves, noise, acceleration and possibly also extremely bright light. The sensor tape has integrated sensors, signal conditioning electronics, non-volatile memory and a thin film battery. In order to meet the low cost target of the tapes, fabrication techniques such as inkjet printing, laser machining and lamination are employed with all deposition and patterning steps been compatible with future roll-to-roll manufacturing, as schematically shown in Figure 1. Inkjet printing is used because it is a non-contact technique and is the printing method that allows the most accurate registration from layer to layer.(1) In addition, the sensors require membranes and spacers; therefore contact printing methods would not be appropriated. Inkjet printing requires the use of solution-processed materials, which leads us to organic based materials and inorganic nanoparticles that can be printed from solution.