Ultra-thin and flexible electromagnetic shield based on conductive screen printing technique

• Main Author: Wang, Lin Biao
• Other Authors: See Kye Yak
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Electronic systems
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/62266
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Electromagnetic (EM) shielding is one of the most widely used electromagnetic interference (EMI) countermeasures in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) applications. With the increasing reliance of wireless communications, EM shielding begins to find its application in architectural shielding to block out undesired wireless signals. The conventional method of using solid metals as EMI shields, though provide excellent EM shielding, adds structural loading to existing building, blocks light transmission, and can be non-aesthetically in nature. The needs for other shielding alternatives that are not only effective in blocking undesirable wireless signals but also lightweight, flexible and transparent are apparent for future large-scale architectural EMI shielding purposes. The thesis begins with exploring various possible implementations of planar and flexible EMI shields. The conductive screen printing technique is finally chosen for its large volume roll-to-roll printing ability, which has a great potential to reduce the fabrication cost of EMI shield significantly. A comprehensive characterization of the electrical properties and shielding performance of the screen-printed shield has been carried out. To understand the characteristics of the various shields using screen printing technique, both analytical and numerical methods are deployed. The empirical formula and equivalent circuit model approach are adopted for the initial designs of the EMI shield and then a full-wave EM modeling tool is used to fine tune the final designs. Several designs including meshed shields and frequency selective shields, catering for different applications are fabricated with their shielding performances validated experimentally.