An official website of the United States government
Abstract Roll-to-Roll (R2R) printing techniques are promising for high-volume continuous production of substrate-based products, as opposed to sheet-to-sheet (S2S) approach suited for low-volume work. However, meeting the tight alignment tolerance requirements of additive multi-layer printed electronics specified by device resolution that is usually at micrometer scale has become a major challenge in R2R flexible electronics printing, preventing the fabrication technology from being transferred from conventional S2S to high-speed R2R production. Print registration in a R2R process is to align successive print patterns on the flexible substrate and to ensure quality printed devices through effective control of various process variables. Conventional model-based control methods require an accurate web-handling dynamic model and real-time tension measurements to ensure control laws can be faithfully derived. For complex multistage R2R systems, physics-based state-space models are difficult to derive, and real-time tension measurements are not always acquirable. In this paper, we present a novel data-driven model predictive control (DD-MPC) method to minimize the multistage register errors effectively. We show that the DD-MPC can handle multi-input and multi-output systems and obtain the plant model from sensor data via an Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) and Observer Kalman filter identification (OKID) system identification method. In addition, the proposed control scheme works for systems with partially measurable system states.
more »
« less
Large‐Scale Manufacturing of Pattern‐Integrated Paper Li‐Ion Microbatteries through Roll‐to‐Roll Flexographic Printing
Abstract Electrode architectures significantly influence the electrochemical performance, flexibility, and applications of lithium‐ion batteries (LiBs). However, the conventional bar coating for fabricating electrodes limits the addition of customized architecture or patterns. In this study, as a novel approach, patterns are integrated into electrodes through large‐scale roll‐to‐roll (R2R) flexographic printing. Additionally, flexible, recyclable, and biodegradable paper are innovatively used as a printing substrate during printing LiBs manufacturing, which exhibited superior printability. Moreover, the paper is modified with a thin‐layer Al2O3to function as the separator in the printed LiB. The Al2O3‐coated paper enables an admirable wettability for printing, excellent mechanical properties for high‐speed R2R manufacturing, and outstanding thermal stability for the safe and stable operation of LiBs. The assembled paper cells exhibit nearly 100% discharge capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 3 C and outstanding rate performance. This work inspires future large‐scale microbatteries manufacturing integrated with high‐resolution architecture designs.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 1907250
- PAR ID:
- 10379858
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Materials Technologies
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 2365-709X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
This study addresses the challenges of efficient, large-scale production of flexible transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs). We fabricate TCEs on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using a high-speed roll-to-roll (R2R) compatible method that combines gravure printing and photonic curing. The hybrid TCEs consist of Ag metal bus lines (Ag MBLs) coated with silver nanowires (AgNWs) and indium zinc oxide (IZO) layers. All materials are solutions deposited at speeds exceeding 10 m/min using gravure printing. We conduct a systematic study to optimize coating parameters and tune solvent composition to achieve a uniform AgNW network. The entire stack undergoes photonic curing, a low-energy annealing method that can be completed at high speeds and will not damage the plastic substrates. The resulting hybrid TCEs exhibit a transmittance of 92% averaged from 400 nm to 1100 nm and a sheet resistance of 11 Ω/sq. Mechanical durability is tested by bending the hybrid TCEs to a strain of 1% for 2000 cycles. The results show a minimal increase (<5%) in resistance. The high-throughput potential is established by showing that each hybrid TCE fabrication step can be completed at 30 m/min. We further fabricate methylammonium lead iodide solar cells to demonstrate the practical use of these TCEs, achieving an average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13%. The high-performance hybrid TCEs produced using R2R-compatible processes show potential as a viable choice for replacing vacuum-deposited indium tin oxide films on PET.more » « less
-
Abstract A major challenge for graphene applications is the lack of mass production technology for large‐scale and high‐quality graphene growth and transfer. Here, a roll‐to‐roll (R2R) dry transfer process for large‐scale graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition is reported. The process is fast, controllable, and environmentally benign. It avoids chemical contamination and allows the reuse of graphene growth substrates. By controlling tension and speed of the R2R dry transfer process, the electrical sheet resistance is achieved as 9.5 kΩ sq−1, the lowest ever reported among R2R dry transferred graphene samples. The R2R dry transferred samples are used to fabricate graphene‐based field‐effect transistors (GFETs) on polymer. It is demonstrated that these flexible GFETs feature a near‐zero doping level and a gate leakage current one to two orders of magnitude lower than those fabricated using wet‐chemical etched graphene samples. The scalability and uniformity of the R2R dry transferred graphene is further demonstrated by successfully transferring a 3 × 3 in2sample and measuring its field‐effect mobility with 36 millimeter‐scaled GFETs evenly spaced on the sample. The field‐effect mobility of the R2R dry transferred graphene is determined to be 205 ± 36 cm2 V−1.more » « less
-
Abstract Roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing is a highly efficient industrial method for continuously processing flexible webs through a series of rollers. With advancements in technology, R2R manufacturing has emerged as one of the most economical production methods for advanced products, such as flexible electronics, renewable energy devices, and 2D materials. However, the development of cost-effective and efficient manufacturing processes for these products presents new challenges, including higher precision requirements, the need for improved in-line quality control, and the integration of material processing dynamics into the traditional web handling system. This paper reviews the state of the art in advanced R2R manufacturing, focusing on modeling and control, and highlights research areas that need further development.more » « less
-
Abstract Roll-to-roll (R2R) dry transfer is an important process for manufacturing of large-scale two-dimensional (2D) materials and printed flexible electronics. Existing research has demonstrated the feasibility of dry transfer of 2D materials in a roll-to-roll setting with mechanical peeling. However, the process presents a significant challenge to system control due to the lack of understanding of the mechanical peeling behavior and the complexity of the nonlinear system dynamics. In this study, an R2R peeling process model is developed to understand the dynamic interaction among the peeling process parameters, including adhesion energy, peeling force, angle, and speed. Both simulation and experimental studies are conducted to validate the model. It is shown that the dynamic system model can capture the transient behavior of the R2R mechanical peeling process and be used for the process analysis and control design.more » « less
