Flexible, durable printed electrical circuits

Abstract

This study investigates the screen printing of transmission lines into a variety of nonwoven substrates using different conductive inks for durable and wearable electronic textile applications. The viscosity of the ink dictated the performance of the printed media during washing trials. The printed inks begin to degrade and display lower conductivity after 25 wash cycles. A method to control the durability of the printed circuits, which includes coating of the printed lines with a meltblown layer, has been developed.