3M has unveiled the 3M Patterned Silver Nanowire Film, an innovative touch sensor film, that combines the expertise of the two companies to offer the quality, unique attributes and volume that touch screen manufacturers demand. 3M plans to ramp up its total global touch sensor film manufacturing capacity to more than 600,000 square meters per month in 2014, which includes 3M Patterned Silver Nanowire Touch Sensor Film, 3M Patterned Metal Mesh Touch Sensor Film and 3M Advanced ITO Touch Sensor Film.

The capacity aims to support the growing demand for consumer touch enabled devices such as tablets, laptops, all-in-ones (AIO) and monitors.

The 3M Patterned Silver Nanowire consists of conductors made of Cambrios' silver nanowire ink that is micropatterned by 3M on a polyester (PET) film substrate. The material is highly transparent with a target transmittance of greater than 89 percent and exhibits good optical clarity and low haze. Sheet resistance can be customized with targeted coated sheet resistances ranging from 45-100? per square, providing fast response time for a pleasing end-customer experience.

The film can support touch screens with diagonal sizes suitable for phones and tablets, as well as large area touch screens over 46in (diagonal) for applications such as signage and gaming. Unlike ITO products, the flexible silver nanowire material can conform to angles and rounded surfaces, eliminating many design constraints and enabling next-generation curved, and rollable touch sensors.

"3M's Silver Nanowire Film leverages best-in-class capabilities of two global leaders in the touch sensor space," said Voyl Divljakovic, VP and GM, 3M electronic solutions division. "The combination of 3M's expertise in optical films and Cambrios' technology in silver nanowire inks are combining to create a product that will enable new design possibilities, such as curved or wrapped bezel displays, for our customers."

"Our collaboration with 3M, together with their broad portfolio of products designed with ClearOhm inks, extends our customer base in both established and emerging markets worldwide," said John LeMoncheck, president and CEO, Cambrios. "Through this partnership, global OEMs, ODMs and touch sensor manufacturers will now have access to our silver nanowire based transparent conductors for a variety of high volume applications."

By: DocMemory
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