Highly conductive composites for the fabrication of layers with adjustable conductivity gradient

• Applicant: Dr. Karen Forberich
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 528402728

The project deals with the exploration of conductive inks and the structures that can be created with them for high-frequency applications. At the beginning of the project, the focus is on researching the synthesis of metallic nanocrystals (nanowires and nanoplatelets) with defined dimensions, i.e., nanowires with a defined length and diameter, and nanoplatelets with a defined height and diameter. For this purpose, the mechanisms of crystal growth depending on the synthesis conditions need to be clarified, for example, under which conditions nanowires grow and under which conditions nanoplatelets grow. Additionally, a quantitative model for the dimensions depending on the synthesis parameters is to be established through Bayesian optimization and Gaussian process regression. Adjustable dimensions are a prerequisite for investigating, in the further course of the project, the impedance of a single layer depending on the parameters during aerosol jet printing and especially on the morphology of the layer, whether, for example, an ordered structure offers advantages over a disordered structure or whether only the metallic content plays a role. Finally, the influence of conductivity gradients on transmission properties is to be examined, whereby both the process and the ink properties - at this point also in combination with dielectric inks - are to be varied.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5727: 3D functionalization for radio frequency applications
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Sina Martin