Middleton, Bethany J. (2012) Injection moulding electroluminescent devices. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Electroluminescence is a developing area of research in the fields of display
technology and lighting. Solution based processing of organic materials offers the
opportunity to manufacture large area, low cost illuminating surfaces but current
processes are limited to two dimensions. The ability to apply electroluminescent
materials onto three dimensional contoured surfaces would incorporate the
illuminating function into objects, enhancing usability and removing the need for an
additional light source.
Furthermore, the integration directly into the manufacturing process, such as
injection moulding, would have the added benefits of reducing manufacturing time,
handling and have environmental and economic savings. Incorporating electronics
manufacturing in-mould offers considerable potential for novel research and
commercial applications.
Electroluminescent multi-layer structures were constructed on 3D surfaces,
applying materials using an airbrush. Novel injection moulded electroluminescent
devices were successfully made using insert moulding and in-mould layer
application techniques, then characterised and compared to a bought device.
Electroluminescent layers were also applied to injection moulded plastic parts as a
post mould treatment for further comparison.
In the current state of development, insert moulding using a PTFE carrier film is the
most successful method of injection moulding EL parts, producing devices that light
up with an average illuminance of 210.2  39.2 lx when operated at 300 V and 400
Hz. A multi-layer thermal model developed in this project confirms that the injected
plastic does not transfer enough heat energy to cure materials that are applied
directly in-mould. It was also found that, after 10 weeks, the airbrush made devices
maintained 27.3 % points more relative illuminance compared to devices made
using a conventional method. Problems associated with all of the new processes
have been identified and solutions suggested, but with further research these
methods could be used to routinely mould plastic parts with the ability to
illuminate.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Injection molding of plastics, Electroluminescent devices
Official Date:	November 2012
Dates:	Date Event November 2012 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Manufacturing Group
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Goodship, Vannessa
Extent:	xxv, 324 leaves : charts.
Language:	eng

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