• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.6-10
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• 2019

In the presence of $\mu-tip$ for narrow stripe coating, there appears lateral capillary flow along the hydrophilic head lip because the $\mu-tip$ has some resistance to flow. It was known to be suppressed by increasing the contact angle of the head lip. In this paper, we have demonstrated by computational fluid dynamics(CFD) simulations that it can also be suppressed by the formation of micro-patterns on the shim and meniscus guide embedded into the slot-die head. To optimize the micro-patterned structure, we have performed simulations by varying the groove width, depth, and clearance. In the absence of micro-patterns, it is shown by experiment and simulation that the solution spreads to a distance of $1,300{\mu}m$ from the ${\mu}-tip$. In the presence of micro-patterns with the groove width and clearance of $50{\mu}m$, the distance the solution spreads is reduced to $260{\mu}m$. However, no further suppression in the capillary flow is observed with micro-patterns with the groove width of $40{\mu}m$ or less. It is also observed that the capillary flow is not affected by the groove depth if it is larger than $10{\mu}m$. We have shown that the distance the solution spreads can be reduced further to $204{\mu}m$ by coating a hydrophobic material (contact angle of $104^{\circ}$) on the surface of micro-patterns having the groove width and clearance of $50{\mu}m$.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.92-96
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• 2019

In the presence of ${\mu}-tip$ embedded in a slot-die head for stripe coatings, there arises the capillary flow that limits an increase of the stripe density, which is required for the potential applications in organic light-emitting diode displays. With an attempt to suppress it, we have employed a computational fluid dynamics software and performed simulations by varying the ${\mu}-tip$ length and the contact angles of the head lip and ${\mu}-tip$. We have first demonstrated that such a capillary flow phenomenon (a spread of solution along the head lip) observed experimentally can be reproduced by the computational fluid dynamics software. Through simulations, we have found that stronger capillary flow is observed in the hydrophilic head lip with a smaller contact angle and it is suppressed effectively as the contact angle increases. When the contact angle of the head lip increases from $16^{\circ}$ to $130^{\circ}$, the distance a solution can reach decreases sharply from $256{\mu}m$ to $44{\mu}m$. With increasing contact angle of the ${\mu}-tip$, however, the solution flow along the ${\mu}-tip$ is disturbed and thus the capillary flow phenomenon becomes more severe. If the ${\mu}-tip$ is long, the capillary flow also appears strong due to an increase of flow resistance (electronic-hydraulic analogy). It can be suppressed by reducing the ${\mu}-tip$ length, but not as effectively as reducing the contact angle of the head lip.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.33-38
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• 2022

With an attempt to suppress the moiré phenomenon caused by the interference between the black matrix of a display panel and the metal grid of a camera, we have fabricated an anti-moiré filter using light diffusing particles (LDPs) with the average diameter of 20 ㎛. It is demonstrated that the anti-moiré filter coated on a glass substrate (370 mm × 470 mm) using a table slot-die coater reduces the moiré intensity to a great extent when the area covered by LDPs is 50%. To quantify the intensity of moiré phenomenon, we have measured the lightness ratio and found that it is reduced from 132.12 down to 105.71 by the filter. To find the optimum area covered by LDPs, we have performed ray tracing simulations using Mie scatters as a substitute for LDPs. From the simulated irradiation distribution, we have calculated the standard deviation (SD) and contrast ratio (CR) to evaluate the moiré strength. As expected, the SD and CR values decrease with increasing covered area by LDPs. However, there exists a trade-off between the transmittance of the filter and its capability of reducing the moiré intensity in determining the area covered by LDPs.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.32-37
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• 2023

For the potential applications in large-area OLED lightings, hydrogen fuel cells, and secondary batteries, we have performed an intermittent coating of high-viscosity polydimethylsiloxane using roll-to-roll slot die coater. During intermittent coating, dead zones inevitably appear where the thickness of PDMS patch films becomes non-uniform, especially at the leading/trailing edge. To reduce it, we have coated the PDMS patches by varying the process parameters such as the installation angle of the slot die head, coating speed, and patch interval. It is observed that the PDMS solution flows down and thus the thickness profile is non-uniform for horizonal intermittent coating, whereas the PDMS solution remaining on the head lip causes an increase in the PDMS thickness at the leading/trailing edges for vertical intermittent coating when the coating velocity is low. As the coating speed increases, however, the dead zone is shown to be reduced. It is addressed that the overall dead zone (the dead zone at the leading edge + the dead zone at the trailing edge) is smaller with horizontal intermittent coating than with vertical intermittent coating.