Printing Conductive Patterns Using LEP

Abstract

A method of printing an electrode component is disclosed. The method can include steps of electrostatically printing a polymer onto a substrate, where at least a portion of the printing occurs while the polymer is in a first conductive state, and altering the polymer to a second conductive state that is more conductive than the first conductive state, thereby forming the electronic component.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A system for printing an electronic component, comprising:
 a liquid electro printer for electrostatic printing; and   a polymer loaded in the liquid electro-printer, the polymer being dispersed or dissolved in a liquid, the polymer having a first conductive state and a more conductive second conductive state, said polymer being combined with a conductive additive that is more conductive than said first conductive state of said polymer but does not interfere with an electric field of said electrostatic printing wherein the liquid electro-printer is configured to print the polymer in the first conductive state through an electric field.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a developer configured to convert the polymer from the first conductive state to the second conductive state. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the developer is an oxidizing agent or an acid. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first conductive state is substantially nonconductive. 
     
     
         20 . A luminescent device, comprising:
 a first electrode layer including a polymer having a first conductive state and a more conductive second conductive state, the polymer being configured in the second conductive state, said polymer being combined with a conductive additive that is more conductive than said first conductive state of said polymer but does not interfere with an electric field of an electrostatic printing process;   a phosphor layer disposed on at least a portion of the first electrode layer;   a second electrode layer disposed on at least a portion of the phosphor layer;   a current source electrically coupled to the first electrode layer and to the second electrode layer, the current source configured to illuminate the phosphor layer.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the first electrode is a multilayer electrode including a substrate having the polymer printed thereon. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer is printed by the steps of:
 electrostatically printing the polymer onto a substrate, at least a portion of said printing occurring while the polymer is in a first conductive state; and   altering the polymer to a second conductive state that is more conductive than the first conductive state, thereby forming the first electrode layer.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the polymer of the first electrode layer is configured as a conductive pattern. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the phosphor layer is printed in a substantially matching pattern to the conductive pattern of the first electrode layer. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 20 , further including an insulating layer disposed between the phosphor layer and the second electrode layer. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein either of the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer or both is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         27 - 34 . (canceled)