Scratch Repair Material for Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) Coatings

Data Driven Decisions (D3) will demonstrate the feasibility of using atmospheric pressure plasmas with novel chemical precursor systems to repair scratched indium tin oxide ITO surfaces. D3 will use the proven atmospheric plasma pencil technology it has developed. No vacuum chambers are required so atmospheric pressure plasmas are well suited for rapid repair of in service aircraft equipment. During Phase I, D3 will: 1) identify a precursor system capable of applying ITO to a surface using atmospheric plasma at low temperature; 2) optimize the application process to obtain the target electrical conductivity, optical transparency, and adhesion characteristics; and 3) demonstrate the repair of a 1” X 1/16” scratch on an ITO surface using the atmospheric plasma and precursor system. D3 will also evaluate the safety considerations related to the chemical precursors, plasma effluent, and potential application process hazards. The process developed under Phase I will be refined in Phase II to repair ITO scratches on real world aircraft surfaces by developing the needed plasma handling and robotics systems. An ITO scratch repair system based on our technology will eliminate replacement of expensive parts and improve the operational availability of Air Force resources.