Category: ITO

Indium TIn Oxide in Biomedical Applications

Introduction

Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), celebrated for its prowess in transparent conducting oxides, is not confined to the realms of electronics and displays. This article delves into the fascinating intersection of ITO and biomedical applications, exploring how this versatile material is making significant contributions to the field of medicine.

ITO in Biomedical Devices: A Biocompatible Marvel

In recent years, researchers have been unlocking the potential of ITO in various biomedical applications, capitalizing on its unique blend of electrical conductivity, optical transparency, and, notably, biocompatibility. Unlike traditional materials, ITO showcases minimal inhibition of cell growth and negligible protein adsorption, making it an ideal candidate for integration into biomedical devices.

Applications in Biosensors

One notable avenue where ITO shines is in the realm of biosensors. ITO’s exceptional conductivity and transparency make it an optimal substrate for biosensor electrodes. These biosensors, equipped with ITO components, enable the precise detection of biological molecules, paving the way for advancements in medical diagnostics and disease monitoring.

ITO in Medical Imaging Devices

The marriage of ITO with medical imaging devices has yielded promising results. Its application in devices such as X-ray detectors and transparent electrodes for imaging sensors contributes to enhanced imaging quality. The superior electrical properties of ITO facilitate the creation of high-performance imaging devices crucial in medical diagnostics.

ito-in-biomedical-devices

Implantable Electronics Enhanced by ITO

The quest for more sophisticated and biocompatible implantable electronics has led researchers to ITO. As an electrode material in implantable devices, ITO offers a unique combination of electrical functionality and transparency. This is particularly valuable in devices like neural implants and bioelectronic medicine, where seamless integration with biological tissues is paramount.

ITO in Drug Delivery Systems

The controlled release of pharmaceuticals is a critical aspect of drug delivery systems. ITO’s biocompatibility and electrical properties play a role in developing smart drug delivery platforms. Researchers are exploring ITO-based systems to precisely control drug release, optimizing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing side effects.

Biomedical Advances Fueled by ITO

Enhanced Biocompatibility:

ITO’s compatibility with biological systems reduces the risk of adverse reactions, making it an attractive choice for devices directly interfacing with the human body.

Precise Bioelectronic Interfaces:

ITO’s electrical properties enable the creation of precise interfaces between electronic devices and biological tissues, fostering advancements in neuroprosthetics and bioelectronic medicine.

Real-time Monitoring and Diagnostics:

Biosensors incorporating ITO facilitate real-time monitoring of biomarkers, enabling early detection of diseases and providing valuable data for personalized medicine.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While ITO holds immense promise in biomedical applications, challenges such as long-term stability and scalability must be addressed. Researchers are actively working on innovative solutions, including advanced coatings and material enhancements, to ensure the sustained effectiveness of ITO in medical settings.

Conclusion

Indium Tin Oxide’s foray into biomedical applications is reshaping the landscape of medical technology. From biosensors to implantable electronics, ITO’s unique properties are contributing to groundbreaking innovations in diagnostics, therapeutics, and patient care. As researchers continue to unravel the potential of ITO in the realm of medicine, the collaborative synergy between materials science and healthcare promises a future where ITO plays a pivotal role in advancing biomedical technologies.

For more information, please visit https://www.sputtertargets.net/.

Requirements of The Width of ITO Glass: Thinner Is Better?

In recent years, the requirements for processing technology in various industries have been continuously improved. Taking ITO materials as an example, the line width and interval of processing ITO conductive patterns have higher requirements. And often there is such a question, can the ITO laser etching machine be able to achieve a line width below 20 microns? Can the processing interval be 20 microns? The answer is yes. So what is the smallest line width of the ITO laser etching machine? Let SAM Sputter Target answer it for you.

Further Reading: An Introduction to ITO – Indium Tin Oxide

The thickness of the ITO line width is determined by the laser and the optics and relates to the spot size of the focus and the thermal influence of the source on the material. Shorter wavelength results in lower energy, narrower pulse width, higher magnification of the beam expander, smaller negative of the field lens, and smaller spot size, so it could produce a line with thinner width. Of course, several of the above-mentioned parameters have a relative limit value. For example, if the magnification of the beam expander is too high, the energy density will be poor, which is not suitable for processing. Therefore, we need to take a range of values in order to apply them to the processing needs.

Related: Indium Tin Oxide Sputtering Target

In addition, even with the same laser etch machine, the line widths made by different materials are different. For example, the etch line width of a nickel alloy material is thicker than that of an ITO material, depending on the absorption of the laser wavelength by the material itself. This article analyzes based on ITO conductive glass.

The general requirement for ITO glass in the touch screen industry is less than 20 microns, which uses a narrow pulse-width infrared nanosecond laser. Different industries have different requirements for ITO line width. In some industries, the resistance of ITO line width has relatively high requirements, while in some industries, it is required to ensure that it is cut and insulated.

In the current laser market, the minimum line width of ITO conductive glass is 5 micrometers, and different line widths can be selectively selected according to different light sources. For example, the minimum line width of an ultraviolet nanosecond laser can be 15 micrometers. Of course, there are also EUV lithography machines that can achieve nanometer levels by means of extreme ultraviolet lasers. The requirements for line width are mainly determined by different product requirements.

ITO Glass – Thinner Is Better?

In recent years, the requirements for processing technology in various industries have been continuously improved. ITO (indium tin oxide) materials, for instance, have stricter criteria for line width and processing interval for ITO conductive patterns. The subject of whether the ITO laser etching machine can produce lines smaller than 20 microns comes up frequently. Is a 20-micron processing interval possible? The answer is yes. So what is the smallest line width of the ITO laser etching machine? Let SAM Sputter Target answer it for you.

What Determines the Line Width?

The laser and the optics define the thickness of the ITO line width, which is related to the size of the focus spot and the thermal impact of the source on the material. A line with a thinner width might be produced by a shorter wavelength because it has lower energy, a narrower pulse width, a higher beam expander magnification, a smaller field lens negative, and a smaller spot size. Several of the aforementioned parameters, of course, have a relative limit value. For instance, if the beam expander’s magnification is too great, the energy density will be inadequate and unsuitable for processing. As a result, we must choose a variety of values and apply them to the processing requirements.

In addition, even with the same laser etch machine, the line widths made by different materials are different. For example, the etch line width of a nickel alloy material is thicker than that of an ITO material, depending on the absorption of the laser wavelength by the material itself. This article analyzes based on ITO conductive glass.

ITO glass

Thickness Requirements of Different Industries

The general requirement for ITO glass in the touch screen industry is less than 20 microns, which uses a narrow pulse-width infrared nanosecond laser. Different industries have different requirements for ITO line width. In some industries, the resistance of ITO line width has relatively high requirements, while in some industries, it is required to ensure that it is cut and insulated. In the current laser market, the minimum line width of ITO conductive glass is 5 micrometers, and different line widths can be selectively selected according to different light sources. For example, the minimum line width of an ultraviolet nanosecond laser can be 15 micrometers. Of course, there are also EUV lithography machines that can achieve nanometer levels by means of extreme ultraviolet lasers. The requirements for line width are mainly determined by different product requirements.

Thinner is Better?

From the above, you can see that different industries have different thickness requirements for ITO glass. What is certain is that the thinner is not always the better. It still needs to be designed and manufactured according to the specific application.

Application of Indium Tin Oxide in Anti-Reflection Film Design

The indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductive film belongs to an N-type oxygen-deficient semiconductor material. It has low absorption of visible light and has high visible light transmittance, excellent infrared reflection performance and microwave attenuation performance in the mid-far infrared range. ITO transparent conductive film has become an important optical component in the field of optoelectronic devices due to its excellent photoelectric performance.

indium tin oxide evaporation pellets

ITO materials have long been used as transparent conductive films in the form of single-layer films, but their average transmittance in the visible portion is very low, generally less than 90%, and the reflectance is high, affecting its display and electromagnetic shielding applications. If the transmittance in the visible light region is improved, the application of the ITO transparent conductive film will be more extensive.

The ITO film is usually made of the indium tin oxide sputtering target and the indium tin oxide evaporation material. The use of the ITO film as one of the antireflection film systems can greatly increase the transmittance of the transparent conductive film in the visible light portion, and solves the problem that the transparent conductive film is generally low in visible light transmittance. A multilayer anti-reflection film containing TTO material was prepared by a low-pressure reactive ion plating method, and a transparent conductive film having an average visible light transmittance of 95.83%, a maximum transmittance of 97.26%, and a sheet resistance of 13.2 to 24.6 Ω was obtained. The anti-reflection film largely alleviates the contradiction between the conductivity and the transparency of the transparent conductive film, and the ITO transparent conductive film has more useful practical value and application prospect in the field of application.

indium tin oxide uses

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How to Prevent the Damage of ITO Exposure?

What is indium tin oxide

Indium Tin Oxide, or ITO, is a composition of indium, tin, and oxygen with different proportions. ITO is mainly used in the production of liquid crystal displays (LEDs), flat panel displays, plasma displays, touch displays, electronic paper applications, organic light-emitting diodes, and solar cells, and antistatic coatings as well as EMI shielding transparent conductive coating. The indium tin oxide film is typically deposited onto the surface physical vapor deposition, such as vacuum sputtering, or electron beam evaporation. Other uses for indium include: indium bonding, vehicle and aircraft bearings, cryogenic alloys and solders, and nuclear reactor control rods.

indium tin oxide film-12

ITO dust hazard

In the ITO sputtering target manufacturing factory, although the surface grinding and cutting operations are carried out in a closed wet system, droplets and waste water containing indium tin oxide sprayed around the machine are evaporated to dryness, causing the indium tin oxide dust to be suspended in the air. And the inhalation of ITO dust by the human body can cause lung disease.

Protection and precautions

  • Smash, grind, cut and sputter targets and backplate bonding areas shall have adequate and appropriate exhaust equipment.
  • During work, workers are advised to wear appropriate dust masks to avoid inhalation of indium, indium tin oxide and indium compound particles and fumes.

mask should be used in the area

  • Use appropriate eye and hand protection to prevent dust particles from splashing or touching.
  • Work clothes or dust-proof clothes should be used during work. Before going home, you should change clothes to avoid taking dust home, work clothes or dust-proof clothes in the factory.
  • Do not place drinking water and food at the work site to avoid contamination and avoid eating, and avoid eating or resting in the workplace.

The above points are strictly enforced at SAM’s factories, and we have never reported incidents of cancer caused by inhalation of harmful dust.

SAM is the world’s leading sputtering target manufacturer and we provide high-quality products and satisfying service. Please visit https://www.sputtertargets.net/ for more information.

Requirements of ITO sputtering targets for LCDs

After a long period of development, the quality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) continues to increase, and the cost continues to decline. This means that LCDs have higher requirements for ITO sputtering targets. Therefore, in order to keep up with the development of LCD, the future development trend of ITO targets is as follows:

Liquid crystal displays
Liquid crystal displays
Lower resistivity

In recent years, liquid crystal displays have been moving in a more and more refined direction, and with the upgrade of drivers, a transparent conductive film with lower resistivity is required. Therefore, the resistivity of their raw material—ITO target—is also required to be lowered.

Increase target density

When the target density is low, the surface area for effective sputtering is reduced, and the sputtering speed is also lowered. The high-density target has uniform surface, and can obtain low-resistance film. In addition, the density of the target is also related to its service life, and the high density target generally has a longer life. This means that increasing the density of the target not only improves the film quality, but also reduces the cost of the coating, so it must be the direction for the future development of ITO targets.

Larger size

Now that the LCD screen is getting bigger and bigger, correspondingly, the size of the ITO target has to be larger. However, there are still many problems to be solved in large area coating. In the past, people weld small targets together and splice them to achieve large area coating. But the joints were likely to cause a drop in coating quality. In order to solve this problem, the size of ITO sputtering target is required to be larger in the future. This is also a big challenge for the ITO target industry.

Higher use ratio

Planar targets are still one of the most used types of sputtering targets. But one of the deadliest disadvantage of planar targets is the low use ratio. People may develop other types of ITO target, such as rotatory targets and cylindrical planar targets in the future to increase target utilization.

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What is ITO (indium tin oxide) Sputtering Target?

As its name suggests, ITO sputtering target mainly contains three elements of indium, tin and oxygen. More specifically, ITO sputtering target is a black-gray ceramic semiconductor (as shown below) formed by a series of production processes after indium oxide and tin oxide powder are mixed in a certain ratio, and then sintered in a high temperature atmosphere (1600 degrees, oxygen sintering).

ITO

As one of the most widely used transparent conducting oxides, Indium tin oxide (ITO) has good electrical conductivity and optical transparency. The transmittance and resistance of ITO are controlled by the ratio of In2O3 to SnO2, respectively, and the performance is usually best when SnO2:In2O3=1:9. The most common method for preparing ITO films is physical vapor deposition (PVD). To know more information about PVD technology, please read this article What are the uses of PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating. And, to know more about how to produce ITO target, please read another article Four main molding methods for ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) targets.

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Working principles of a resistive touch screen and a capacitive touch screen

resistive touch screen and capacitive touch screenResistive screens and capacitive screens are the two main kinds of mobile screens on the market today. Generally speaking, resistive screen phones can be operated with a finger or a stylus; while capacitive screen phones can only be operated with fingers and cannot be operated with ordinary stylus, but we can use a dedicated capacitive screen stylus to substitute the finger to operate; while the resistive screen phone can be operated with a finger or a stylus. Why do they have such a difference? Is it related to their working principle? Let’s SAM Sputter Targets answer it for you.

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What is the difference between a capacitive screen and a resistive screen?

Mobile phones have become an indispensable part of contemporary society. You may use your mobile phone every day, but you don’t know about it. For example, the screens of a mobile phone are mainly divided into a resistive screen and a capacitive screen, but do you know the difference between these two kinds of screens? If you do not know the answer, let’s SAM Sputter Targets answer it for you.

screen

Simply speaking, capacitive screen phones can only be operated with fingers and cannot be operated with ordinary stylus, but we can use a dedicated capacitive screen stylus to substitute the finger to operate; while  resistive screen phones can be operated with a finger or a stylus. From this point of view, some people may think that the latter has an advantage. However, although the capacitive screen can only be operated with a finger, it can largely protect the screen and reduce false touches. Therefore, the two screens actually have their own advantages. Let’s then take a look at their strengths and weaknesses.

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