The authors explore the development of paper-based electronics using carbon-based composites with a biodegradable matrix based on ethyl cellulose and dibasic ester solvent. The main focus is on screen-printing techniques for creating flexible, eco-friendly electronic devices. This research evaluates the printability with the rheological measurements, electrical properties, flexibility, and adhesion of these composites, considering various compositions, including graphene, graphite, and carbon black. The study finds that certain compositions offer sheet resistance below 1 kΩ/sq and good adhesion to paper substrates with just one layer of screen printing, demonstrating the potential for commercial applications, such as single-use electronics, flexible heaters, etc. The study also shows the impact of cyclic bending on the electrical parameters of the prepared layers. This research emphasizes the importance of the biodegradability of the matrix, contributing to the field of sustainable electronics. Overall, this study provides insights into developing environmentally friendly, flexible electronic components, highlighting the role of biodegradable materials in this evolving industry.

The Low Temperature Joining Technique(LTJT) using silver compounds enables to significantly increase the thermal conductivity between joined elements, which is much higher than for soldered joints. However, it also makes difficult to measure the thermal conductivity of the joint.The Laser Flash Analysis(LFA) is a non-intrusive method of measuring the temperature rise of one surface of a specimen after excitation with a laser pulse of its other surface. The main limitation of the LFA method is its standard computer software, which assumes the dimensions of a bonded component to be similar to those of the substrate, because it uses the standard Parker’s formula dedicated for one-dimensional heat flow. In the paper a special design of measured specimen was proposed, consisting of two copper plates of different size joined with the sintered silver layer. It was shown that heat properties of these specimens can also be measured after modifying the LFA method. The authors adapted these specimens by masking the false heat signal sourced from the uncovered plate area. Another adaptation was introducing a correcting factor of the heat travel distance, which was calculated with heat-flow simulations and placed into the Parker’s formula. The heat-flow simulated data were compared with the real LFA measurement results, which enabled estimation of the joint properties,e.g.its porosity.

Wearable electronics are new structures with a wide range of possible applications. This study aims to analyze the effects of hot pressing in thermal transfer of different carbon-based composites as a new application method of screen-printed electronics on textiles. Flexible heaters were screen-printed on polyethylene terephthalate PET foil with composites based on graphene, carbon black, and graphite with different wt.%, measured and then hot pressed to measure and analyze differences. Research showed that the hot pressing process in thermal transfer resulted in decreased electrical resistance, increased power, and higher maximal temperatures. Best results were achieved with composites based on 12 wt.% graphene with sheet resistance lowered by about 40% and increased power by about 110%. This study shows promise for thermal transfer and screen-printing combination as an alternative for creating flexible electronics on textiles.

Ninety percent of high temperature electronic devices operate in temperatures in the range of 150 to 300 °C, and for such temperature needs, technologies typical for the military range might be adapted. To make it possible, new joining techniques are developed, one of them is use of pastes with silver nanoparticles sintered with low temperature joining technique. Silver sintered joints have three times higher thermal conductivity and five times lower electrical resistivity than typical solders, while being able to operate in temperatures reaching 350 °C. In this paper, the authors show the impact of additions of carbon nanoparticles on joints prepared in low temperature joining technology (LTJT). The authors prove that an addition of few percent of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) improves joints mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, while ensuring proper rheology of pastes.