Revisited Transparent Circuit Boards Spark 90s Nostalgia
Transparent electronics are becoming increasingly popular, and one of the most exciting developments in this field is the transparent Arduino board. Created using transparent flexible printed circuit (FPC) material, these boards offer a unique and visually striking appearance.
One example of a transparent Arduino board is the JLCPCB Transparent Flexduino. This flexible board uses transparent FPC materials similar to those found in ribbon cables, allowing the board's LEDs to glow through the substrate for a striking visual effect. The Transparent Flexduino can be custom-ordered from JLCPCB and is an example of transparent PCBs available directly to hobbyists and designers.
Transparent PCBs are already being used in a variety of applications, including medical devices, flexible displays, wearables, automotive displays, and consumer electronics. Substrates like transparent polyimide, polycarbonate (PC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) offer high transparency, flexibility, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, making them ideal for these applications.
Glow-in-the-dark PCBs are another emerging trend in transparent electronics. Although they are less commonly commercialized, some PCB manufacturers are beginning to offer specialty glow-in-the-dark materials combined with transparent or semi-transparent substrates to create circuit boards that glow under dark conditions. These boards are particularly of interest in niches like designer electronics or artistic applications.
In addition to transparent and glow-in-the-dark PCBs, there are also innovative PCB technologies under development related to lighting, such as 3D printed PCBs capable of complex shapes with embedded LEDs for aesthetic or architectural lighting purposes. These boards can incorporate transparent or see-through elements for visually minimalistic designs.
The development of transparent and glow-in-the-dark PCBs is a testament to the rapid advancements in the field of custom PCBs. The competition among board houses is driving the development of unique and unusual PCB designs, and these houses are now targeting the enthusiast market, leading to the creation of innovative products like transparent and glow-in-the-dark PCBs.
In summary, transparent Arduino boards like the JLCPCB Transparent Flexduino offer a visually striking alternative to traditional PCBs. These boards are made using transparent FPC materials and are available directly to hobbyists and designers. Glow-in-the-dark PCBs are an emerging trend, and 3D printed PCBs with embedded LEDs are also under development. The market for transparent and glow-in-the-dark PCBs is growing, and we can expect to see more of these innovative products in the future.
References:
- Transparent Printed Circuit Boards: Applications and Materials
- JLCPCB Transparent Flexduino: An Arduino-Compatible Transparent Flexible PCB
- 3D Printed PCBs: A New Frontier in Electronics Manufacturing
- The JLCPCB Transparent Flexduino, an Arduino-compatible transparent flexible PCB, utilizes transparent FPC materials, making its LEDs glow through the substrate, offering a unique visual appeal.
- Beyond traditional applications, transparent PCBs, such as those made from polyimide, polycarbonate, or polyethylene terephthalate, are increasingly being used in fields like medical devices, wearables, automotive displays, and consumer electronics.
- In the realm of data-and-cloud-computing and technology, innovation continues with emerging trends like glow-in-the-dark PCBs and 3D printed PCBs with embedded LEDs for lighting purposes, capitalizing on the growing market for visually appealing and functional gadgets.
