Printed Microinductors for Flexible Substrates

Magnetic composite layers are combined with hermetic coatings to optimize electrical and mechanical properties.

A method of fabricating planar, flexible microinductors that exhibit a relatively high quality factor (Q) between 1 and 10 MHz has been devised. These inductors are targeted for use in flexible, low-profile power-converter circuits. They could also be incorporated into electronic circuits integrated into flexible structures, including flexible antenna and solar-sail structures that are deployable.

Fabrication of inductors on flexible, heat-sensitive substrates is typically limited by the need for high-temperature annealing step of the magnetic material. Highly loaded ceramic/polymer composite films can be seen printed and cured at lower temperatures, but suffer poor adhesion. Thus, a new approach is required to enable the fabrication of high Q inductors (for power applications) on the flex substrates.

The microinductor comprises a planar spiral metal coil and a high-permeability magnetic thick-film (equivalent to the core of a conventional inductor) in the form of a ceramic/polymer composite. The metal spiral is fabricated by photolithography and etching of a copper-clad flexible polyamide substrate. The ceramic/polymer composite is deposited by stencil and screen printing, both above and below the metal spiral (see figure).

To obtain sufficient permeance and volume magnetization for the required degree of enhancement of inductance, the mass fraction of the ceramic in the ceramic/polymer composite must be about 95 percent, which is greater than the mass fractions of fillers typically incorporated into polymer-matrix thick films. In general, such a high mass fraction of filler can adversely affect printability and adhesion and can make the printed thick films susceptible to mechanical failure and delamination during flexure. These adverse effects can be overcome, to a degree that makes it possible to produce an inductor of both acceptably high Q and acceptable mechanical properties, by (1) proper choice of the polymer resin and the ceramic magnetic powder filler for the thick-film formulation, in conjunction with (2) the use of a hermetic-coating technique.

Of the resins tested, polyester resins demonstrated the best loading and adhesion characteristics. A magnetic powder comprising Mn-Zn ferrite particles about 10 µm in diameter was found to yield good magnetic properties. It was found that improved adhesion could be obtained through coating with vacuum-polymerized parylene.

This work was done by Erik Brandon, Jay Whitacre, and Emily Wesseling of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Electronics/Computers category.

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to:

Innovative Technology Assets Management
JPL
Mail Stop 202-233
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109-8099

(818) 354-2240
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Refer to NPO-30657, volume and number of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number.