The Humboldt Award winner at the INM, Professor Robert McMeeking, is to receive the newly-created Humboldt Alumni Award. Together with the INM, he intends to use the award money of €25,000 to bring about the international networking initiative MePAG (Virtual Humboldt Cluster on the Mechanics and Physics of Adhesion and Grip).

Research scientists at INM developed a special type of flake-type-shaped metal-phosphate particles: They show improved passivation ability and improved diffusion barrier against corrosive substances. Besides zinc phosphate also newly developed manganese phosphate flakes are available.

Tapping and wiping can only work on flexible devices, when flexible materials are used for touchscreens and electric circuits, but not brittle materials like indium tin oxide or silicon. For this purpose, INM is working with the process of electrospinning, a technique that produces ultra-fine fibers.

To allow typing and swiping even on curved smartphones, touchscreens and electric conductor paths have also to be curved. Therefore INM has developed a technique which allows fabrication of such conductor lines on flexible foils and even on stretchable silicone. INM will be presenting the so called photochemical metallization on this year’s Hannover Messe.

INM shows, how flexible displays might become reality in the near future: At this year’s Hannover Messe, INM presents suitable flexible electronic structures from cost-efficient inkjet processes at the stand B46 in hall 2 from on 24 April to 27 April.

Research scientists at INM have developed a sinter-free conductive ink based on gold and silver nanoparticles coated with conductive polymers. INM’s hybrid inks enable inkjet printing of conductive structures without any thermal or UV treatments.