PriMe

For most electronic applications, precious metals are required for connectivity or signal transmission (RFID, etc.). These metals are often expensive with limited worldwide reserves. Besides, the adverse environmental effect, the constant increase in demand from traditional and emerging markets put a tremendous pressure on prize/cost. This negatively impacts the companies’ margin and may limit their development. The solutions offered by the project answer most of the issues caused by raw material shortage and environmental impact. The solutions that will be developed will allow the deposition of a very limited and controlled quantity of metal for equivalent or even better applicative properties. Moreover, the application process, i.e. inkjet printing / roll to roll, is much less energy consuming than the traditional PVD deposition methods and requires limited investments. To further address the economical aspect, alternative lower cost common metals will be studied (Aluminum). Eco conception principles will be applied for the development of the inks. Use of non-toxic, “organic” solvents and additives, material recycling, low temperature processes. To sum up, efficiency will be the outcome of this project: - Economic efficiency: Offer to industrial companies a reliable and cost effective solution to tomorrow’s electronic market challenges. - Ecological efficiency: reduce ecological footprint of the electronic industry by reducing the raw material consumption and using low environmental impact processes for both ink’s manufacture and deposition / usage. The success of this project is based on a strong partnership between the CEA and Genes ‘Ink. These two entities have complementary competencies and know-how. The CEA has developed and patented the PriMe process which is a potential breakthrough technology for the electronic industry. Genes’ink has the competence and capacity, together with the CEA, to further develop and adapt this technology into a usable solution for the industry. The proposed public-private partnership perfectly meets the axis “Products: design, process and materials”, with a win-win cooperation: the CEA will be able to valorize its research efforts by transferring its technology. Genes’Ink will also benefit from the outcome of this project through patents on ink technology/ formulation and, of course, by the industrialization and commercialization of the developed solution. Genes’Ink pioneers in the design and manufacture of active inks, based on nanoparticles. Our technology brings fundamental innovation that allows many industries to massively reduce, among others, their silver consumption. Our inks encompass properties that engender unanticipated application and specific innovations (2 patents applications registered). We focus on identified opportunities in markets such as printed electronics, energy harvesting and security. Thanks to his highly technical staff, led by their experienced director, Genes’Ink specializes in the applied research, industrialization and production of this materials and their adaptation (formulation) to the deposition means and substrates specified by our industrial customers. We develop inks for inkjet, spray, roll to roll or screen printing. Our focused knowledge on ink formulation allows us to obtain design, advanced innovative product, non-polluting at competitive price.