Nanostructured surface for biodegradable RFID

Abstract

RFID (Radio frequency identification) is a kind of radio technology used to track objects by the communications between the RFID reader and tag. This technology is supposed to dominate the tracking system of supply chain for its high reliability and high-speed identification. It is also urgently needed for assets security and management as it's more reliable than traditional tracking system like barcode system.Normal RFID transponders are commonly made of thin polymer substrates (such as PVC or PET films), a metal antenna and a silicon microchip. RFID are used to identify and track items. The new generation of tags are supposed to be completely composed of biodegradable components, except for the antenna and chip. With biodegradable substrate to carry the antenna and microchips, the task of recycling them will be much easier. Inspired by the idea of generating biodegradable RFID surface, graphite powder is supposed to replace with polymer in the manufacture of RFID tag substrate to enhance the transmitting capacity and reliability of the RFID system.Inkjet printing is used in this project to add the mixed graphite powder ink to specified paper and fabricate the designed RFID surface. The emphasis of the research is finding a way to make graphite powder soluble in aqueous phase so that it can be made into a conductive ink to produce the surface. Excellent anionic surfactant SDBS (Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate) has solved this problem finally. With repeated trials of inkjet printing with self-designed conductive ink, a fine graphite surface has been printed finally.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2015
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	William Kennon (Supervisor) & Yi Wang (Supervisor)