Roll-to-Roll Patterning of Indium-Tin-Oxide Electrodes Using a Low-Cost Laser-Marking Machine

This study aims to explore the optimal process conditions for patterning indium-tin-oxide electrodes with polyethylene terephthalate films using a low-cost laser-marking machine equipped with an F-theta lens. The feasibility of applying this equipment in roll-to-roll (R2R) processes and flexible sensors is also investigated. Moreover, the study involves analyzing the laser characteristics, precision, and focal length of the equipment, as well as adjusting the laser power and focal length to achieve the desired line width without damaging the substrate. The proposed equipment and an R2R patterning method are applied to a pressure-leak sensor that employs a surfactant as the sensing material. The findings show that the low-cost laser-marking machine can be used for flexible sensor research and can support a fast, cost-effective patterning method, making it possible to develop new sensors quickly.