Static electricity might seem harmless, but in the electronics world, it can cause serious damage.
When static builds up, a quick touch can create a shock, known as electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can harm sensitive electronic parts.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have developed a new way to protect electronics from ESD by using 3D-printed silicone foams.
This new ESD shield is made with a flexible, rubbery material called silicone, which is printed directly onto electronic components.
These silicone foams act like a cushion to physically protect the components, while also preventing electrical charges from building up and causing a harmful shock.
The team’s research was recently published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
The technique behind this innovation is 3D printing, a popular manufacturing method that builds objects layer by layer.
Using a specific type of 3D printing called direct ink writing (DIW), the researchers printed the ESD-protective foam using a customized silicone material. DIW is ideal for this type of work because it can print precise, three-dimensional structures with customized shapes and properties.
To make the silicone foam effective against ESD, the LLNL team added carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to the silicone mix.
CNTs are tiny, conductive materials that help control static electricity, making them perfect for this application. They also added rheological modifiers, which are ingredients that help control the thickness and texture of the silicone, making it easier to print high-resolution, detailed designs.
Once printed, the foam was tested by placing it directly on a circuit board. Not only did the foam protect the sensitive electronics from electrical charges, but it also acted as a shock absorber when hit with a hammer, showing its strength as both an electrical and physical barrier.
This 3D-printed ESD shield could be especially useful for electronics used in specialized equipment, such as medical devices and robots, where protecting components is essential.
While the researchers see room for improvement, this innovation marks an important step forward in keeping electronics safe from static shocks, potentially reducing repair costs and downtime in industries where sensitive electronics are widely used.
