Hydro-insensitive electroluminescent devices and methods of manufacture thereof

Abstract

A composite is disclosed for use in electro-luminescent devices. The composite includes polymeric material having a first surface energy, and phosphorescent material dispersed within said polymeric material. The phosphorescent material has a second surface energy, said first and second surface energies are each between about 32 dynes/cm and 46 about dynes/cm. The polymeric material has a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least one gram/100 sq. inches for a 24 hour period at 100° F. for a one mil thick barrier.

1 .- 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . A water vapor permeable composite for use as an electronic device, said composite comprising: 
 a polymeric material having dielectric properties;    an adhesive on one side of said polymeric material; and    a first conductive material on the other side of said polymeric material such that when said adhesive side of said composite is applied to a second conductive material, said composite forms an electronic device that conducts electricity through said polymeric material;    wherein said composite includes no material that is provided as a moisture barrier having a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than one gram/100 sq. inches for a 24 hour period at 100° F.    
     
     
         16 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said polymeric material has a surface energy of below about 32 dynes/cm.  
     
     
         17 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said polymeric material has a surface energy that is similar to that of the first and second conductive materials such that water vapor does not condense at interfaces of each of the first and second conductive materials and the polymeric material.  
     
     
         18 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said first conductive material is adapted to form the electronic device by bridging said second conductive material to a third conductive material.  
     
     
         19 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said polymeric material includes phosphorescent material.  
     
     
         20 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said composite further includes a protective layer on the conductive material and wherein the protective layer has a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least one gram/100 sq. inches for a 24 hour period at 100° F.  
     
     
         21 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said protective layer is clear.  
     
     
         22 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said polymeric material includes at least one of an acrylic, amorphous polyesters, a vinyl, and vinyl acetate copolymers.  
     
     
         23 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said polymeric material includes a phosphorescent material.  
     
     
         24 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said adhesive includes a salt.  
     
     
         25 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said first conductive material is clear.  
     
     
         26 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said composite is frangible.  
     
     
         27 . A method of providing a water vapor permeable composite on a substrate to form an electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: 
 applying a frangible polymeric material having dielectric properties to the substrate using an adhesive that is provided on one side of said polymeric material; and    removing a carrier material from the frangible polymeric material;    wherein said frangible polymeric material completes an electronic device that conducts electricity through said polymeric material, and    wherein said composite includes no material that is provided as a moisture barrier having a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than one gram/100 sq. inches for a 24 hour period at 100° F.    
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said substrate includes a first electrically conductive material.  
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said composite further includes a second electrically conductive material.  
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said second electrically conductive material is clear.  
     
     
         31 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said composite further includes a protective material.  
     
     
         32 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said protective material is clear.  
     
     
         33 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said method further includes the step of permitting water vapor to pass through the frangible polymeric material while the electronic device is in operation.  
     
     
         34 . A water vapor permeable composite for use as an electronic device, said composite comprising: 
 a frangible polymeric material having dielectric properties; and    an adhesive on one side of said polymeric material for applying said polymeric material to a substrate by transfer from a carrier,    wherein said composite forms an electronic device that conducts electricity through said polymeric material; and    wherein said composite includes no material that is provided as a moisture barrier having a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than one gram/100 sq. inches for a 24 hour period at 100° F.    
     
     
         35 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein said polymeric material includes phosphorescent material.  
     
     
         36 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein said polymeric material includes a phosphorescent material.  
     
     
         37 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein said adhesive includes a salt.  
     
     
         38 . The water vapor permeable composite as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein said composite further includes an electrically conductive material.