Experiment § Application of HD AG in PET & TAC
Early anti-glare film (AG) is used in LCD backlight modules to provide diffusion effects. This application is to disperse diffusion particles with larger particle diameters in a solvent-based UV adhesive. With the development of computers, communications, and consumers-electronics products, such as mobile phone protective films, which is hoped that having a translucent AG effect (Figure 1). This requirement causes the particle size of the diffusion particles used in the anti-glare film to be smaller and no flash point. We test a variety of different particles, some will be unevenly stacked, and some will make the surface fog feel too obvious, which is really troublesome. The customer proposes another AG coating method: Disperse the microparticles for diffusion in a solvent, and mix them with the solvent-based UV adhesive evenly before use, and then it can be coated by machine. In this way, customers can adjust the haze by themselves to make the manufacturing process more flexible. This concept requires that the particles cannot be flocculated in the solvent, cannot have hard precipitation and caking when standing, and will be dispersed again quickly after shaking. After continuous efforts, the high-definition AG effect is finally obtained, which meets customer requirements. Figures 2 and 3 show the 3D AG film taken by a confocal microscope. Figure 2 shows the distribution of particles, and Figure 3 analyzes the particle size. At present, we are actively cooperating with several manufacturers in the development, and successful products have already come out.
─Author: Tsan-Hsien, Hung
Activity § Clean the reservoir
Friends who have visited Everwide will surely be impressed by our garden and huge reservoir. A few years ago, we cleaned up the fallen leaves and garbage in the reservoir. A few days ago, we decided to clean the reservoir again. Everyone drained the water and stepped barefoot into the reservoir to clean up the silt. In order not to slip and fall, everyone prepared their equipment and worked together to empty the silt at the bottom of the reservoir bucket by bucket in a relay manner. Although the clothes were soiled, everyone was very happy because they completed a difficult task together!
Knowledge § What is the water content of epoxy resin?
The resin material itself contains water, but the problem lies in the water content. Taking the common BPA epoxy resin as an example, the moisture content measured with a moisture meter is about 2,500 ppm. If it is deliberately exposed to a general environment, the moisture content will rise to 6,000 ppm after a week. The water content of amine curing agents is higher than that of epoxy resins. Taking a fatty amine as an example, the water content has increased from 3,200 ppm to 140,000 ppm. A certain amount of moisture in the resin is helpful to the reaction, because trace moisture is often the catalyst for the reaction of epoxy resin (such as amines and acid anhydride curing agents). If the water content of the system is very low, the reaction will slow down. If storage is not sealed, long-term moisture absorption results in high water content is another matter. The latter may cause difficulty in uniform mixing, emulsification, foaming during heating and curing, and increased thixotropy. Therefore, the resin moisture content is one of the elements of the product, so it should not be overly neglected.
Living § Visit the Sihu Coast Botanical Garden
With an area of 22 hectares, the Sihu Coastal Botanical Garden is the only coastal botanical garden in Taiwan. Due to the large amount of salt entrained by the northeast monsoon along the coast of Taiwan, it is not easy to grow plants. Therefore, Casuarina equisetifolia was introduced as a windbreak forest in the early years to make life more comfortable for coastal residents. In recent years, we emphasis on planting salt-tolerant and moisture-tolerant tree species. However, due to coastal development and environmental pollution, the number of coastal plants has gradually declined. Therefore, the Sihu Coast Botanical Garden has become a key area for research on windbreaks in Taiwan. For this beach cleanup activity, we applied to visit the Sihu Coast Botanical Garden. Under the professional and humorous leadership of the guide, Mr. Tsai, we walked along the natural trail of casuarina leaves. Although the sun was shining brightly, you could still feel a little cool breeze. Along the way, we got to know many short stories about the evolution of Taiwan windbreaks and plant landscaping. Mr. Tsai also took everyone to collect materials on the spot and saw the well-deserved foaming cleaning effect of Chinese soapberry. More about the botanical garden: http://cytfri.tfri.gov.tw/Sihhu/ The sea and plants are God's blessings to us. We should cherish and do our best to maintain this beautiful scenery to our next generation.
─Author: Chih-Hung, Wei
