2020, October 15th @12:00 (GMT-4)
         Abstract:

There is a need for some automotive applications to print networks of highly conductive fine tracks onto large flexible substrates. This presentation provides an insight into the mechanisms of ink transfer that determine the quality of the printed features. Printed tracks of sub 25µm width have been demonstrated using high resolution metallic meshes. The ability to achieve high resolution features by screen printing is determined by the interactions between ink rheology, mesh, screen emulsion and printing conditions. Investigation using advanced rheological techniques to study printability provide a rigorous basis for better prediction, control and consistency.

Conductive inks have been characterised by a combination of rheological measures, including constant shear, Small Amplitude Oscillatory Shear (SAOS) and Controlled Stress Parallel Superposition (CSPS). The solid loading has been varied to establish the relationships between rheology, mesh size, print process parameters and printability. This has been backed up by studies using a fine line screen printing simulation rig which has enabled the engagement and separate during the print stroke to be studied using high speed photography.

Speaker: Prof. Tim C. Claypole MBE, Phd, BSc (Hons), C. Eng, F.I.Mech.E., M.I.E.T.

Faculty member of the College of Engineering @ Swansea University
Biography:

Prof. Tim. C. Claypole is a faculty member of the College of Engineering, Swansea University. His areas of research include colour control, manufacturing systems, quality, maintenance, reliability experimental design, fluid mechanics and process thermodynamics. He is a British Expert on ISO TC130 on standards for the graphic arts and IEC TC 119 printed electronics. Tim is director of the WCPC (Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, Swansea University). This developed from his fundamental research into Printing and Coating as a manufacturing process. The Centre undertakes research on all aspects of Printing and Coating.

Tim was awarded an MBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honours for his services to research in graphic arts and industry. His contribution to the printing industry had previously been recognised by the award of the TAGA Michael Bruno award in 2008 and in 2009 an EFTA special award for outstanding contribution to flexographic printing. The EPSRC, Government and Industry have funded his research that has led to over 200 publications on printing and related topics. He has held EPSRC Portfolio Grant in “Complex Fluids for Complex flows” and was the Swansea University PI on the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacture of Large Area Electronics.

Tim currently has two major ERDF funded projects “Avenues of Commercialisation for Nano and Micro Technologies” and a Welsh Government SMART Expertise grant “Application of Functionalised Micro & Nano Materials – scale up to volume production”. Both involve the transition of University research into production.

He is UK member of the management committee of the recently announced (March 2020) COST Action CA19124 “Rethinking packaging for circular and sustainable food supply chains of the future”.

Tim was the principle investigator on the DIPLE project which won the 2009 EU Regiostars for technology transfer into industry. The WCPC is considered by the EU as an exemplar of the creation of a stairway to excellence which led to Tim being invited to address the Joint Public Hearing of EU ITRE/Structural committee Brussels, May 2012 (“DIPLE project – Transferring world leading printing research into local industry”, Tim C. Claypole,) on one of the main concerns expressed by the EU parliament in their deliberations on the Horizon 2020 and Structural funds, which is that the EU is funding leading research which is being exploited outside of the European Union (EU Committee on Industry, Research and Energy “Working Document – on the specific programme implementing Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014 – 2020), M.G. Carvehlo).

He is a grant proposal reviewer for H2020, Swedish, Flanders and New Zealand government.

He is a project reviewer for the EU on H2020 projects.

He has been external examiner for research degrees in Sweden, Finland, France and Germany.

He has supervised over 30 PhD projects.

In 2015, EU expert providing technical assistance in printing, printed electronics, inks and standardization for the research centres in Buenos Aires, funded by Nanopymes Programme – Technical Assistance, Consorcio Euro Invest Panamericana.