Publications
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Laser processing for large area polymer photonic applications Ghent University
In the last years polymer photonics experienced a tremendous boost in research efforts, targeting for applications in short-reach optical interconnects, biosensing, medical diagnostics, multi-axial strain sensing, datastorage, etc. Polymers are relatively inexpensive, can be functionalized to achieve required optical, electronic, or mechanical properties, and have demonstrated compatibility with various patterning methods. We highlight our ...
Diagnostics and characterization of a novel multi gas layer RF atmospheric pressure plasma jet for polymer processing Ghent University
The quest to employ cold plasma sources at atmospheric pressure in polymer processing has emerged as a potent driving force behind their development. Atmospheric pressure operation of plasma jets provides potential cost reductions as well as easier handling and maintenance. In addition, their unique advantage of remote operation allows the substrate to be placed outside the source boundaries. This latter feature makes it easier to process ...
Molecular scale-driven upgrading of extrusion technology for sustainable polymer processing and recycling Ghent University
Our polymer material and processing industry heavily relies on single- and twin-screw extrusion technology. To facilitate a circular economy technological upgrades, bridging experimental characterization techniques and the predictive power of modeling and software tools are although indispensable. The current work highlights engineering challenges and solution strategies to make (reactive) extrusion technology more sustainable and reliable. ...
Molecular pathways for polymer degradation during conventional processing, additive manufacturing, and mechanical recycling Ghent University
The assessment of the extent of degradation of polymer molecules during processing via conventional (e.g., extrusion and injection molding) and emerging (e.g., additive manufacturing; AM) techniques is important for both the final polymer material performance with respect to technical specifications and the material circularity. In this contribution, the most relevant (thermal, thermo-mechanical, thermal-oxidative, hydrolysis) degradation ...
Catalytic and Physicochemical Polymer Processing in Ionic Liquids KU Leuven
Scientists have a key role to play in the development of a more sustainable society. Ionic liquids, low melting salts, are an unusual class of compounds which offer a large potential for technological advancements in many sectors. Examples are found in energy storage, biopolymer valorization and product separations. Ionic liquids are excellent solvents for cellulose and have been known to catalyze a whole range of reactions. Therefore, the focus ...
Tuning of PCDTBT:PC71BM blend nanoparticles for eco-friendly processing of polymer solar cells Hasselt University KU Leuven University of Antwerp
We report the controlled preparation of water processable nanoparticles (NPs) employing the push-pull polymer PCDTBT and the fullerene acceptor PC71BM in order to enable solar cell processing using eco-friendly solvent (i.e. water). The presented method provides the possibility to separate the formation of the active layer blend and the deposition of the active layer into two different processes. For the first time, the benefits of aqueous ...
Electrohydrodynamic Processing of Polymer Solutions: from Complex Formulations to Induced Degradation KU Leuven
Ever since the academic 'rediscovery' of electrohydrodynamic processing in the 1990s, this manufacturing technique's impressive potential to be effectively utilized in a wide variety of applications in different industries became undeniable. In theory, electrohydrodynamic processing allows for the low specific power consuming production of complex (polymer) particles and fibers with micro- or nano-sized characteristic lengthscales with tailored ...
Adhesion properties of inverted polymer solar cells: Processing and film structure parameters KU Leuven
We report on the adhesion of weak interfaces in inverted P3HT:PCBM-based polymer solar cells (OPV) with either a conductive polymer, PEDOT:PSS, or a metal oxide, molybdenum trioxide (MoO3), as the hole transport layer. The PEDOT:PSS OPVs were prepared by spin or spray coating on glass substrates, or slot-die coating on flexible PET substrates. In all cases, we observed adhesive failure at the interface between the P3HT:PCBM with PEDOT:PSS layer. ...
Ultra-Fine Pitch RDL (UFPRDL) using Polymer Dual Damascene processing Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre
In this work, we demonstrate a completely functional 2 mu m pitch RDL with two interconnecting metal layers and discuss results targeting a 1 m pitch. Polymer-based RDL interconnects are a key enabler for advanced packaging utilized for the integration of heterogeneous systems. A growing number of components and increasing bandwidth needs have driven the number of layers and RDL critical dimensions (CD) ever lower [1-4]. In addition, areal ...