Development of cell gap spacer in LCD for ink-jet printing

We have developed the novel ink material for the ink-jet fabrication of the cell gap spacer in LCD. We applied the thermosetting resin to the ink for the gap spacer with the concept of forming the bead-less spacer. The thermosetting resin was solved in the organic solvent to enable jetting. And it formed the centroclinal-shape as the gap spacer through the printing and drying processes. We evaluated the influence of the cure rate of the resin and the surface tension of the ink on the shape of the gap spacer. It became clear that the faster cure rate of the resin made the shape of the gap spacer flat. And the surface tension of the ink and the surface free energy of the substrate had the effect on the shape of the spacer. In consequence, the average height of the gap spacer was to be controllable and the standard deviation of the height was less than 0.03 mum.