extends battery life, as the device can use less backlight. LOCA advantages LOCA has many advantages compared to traditional non-liquid film type adhesives (OCA Tape). Specifically, it: Is suitable for application on uneven surfaces Can be repaired and adjusted once cured Can be used in large panels Is completely size-independent, while OCA tape must be pre die-cut Has high adhesion Ideal for filling gaps because it is a liquid Does not suffer condensation and fogging Resists extreme temperatures Requires less surface preparation Is contaminant-free, resulting in improved bubble resistance in laminations exposed to high temperature and humidity Can be applied by automated process Accommodates thinner and lighter display designs Facilitates faster development of new products and designs Applications LOCA is generally used in displays and touch panel applications. Application is expected to increase as mobile devices, televisions, tablets, monitors and laptops migrate to touch interfaces. Although there are many varied applications, Henkel divides the applications into three categories: Touch panel sensor assembly: To bond touch panel sensors that require two layers of ITO (indium-tin-oxide) coated glass. This type of bonding will eventually be replaced by direct bonding. Cover lens bonding: To fill the air gap in touch panel sensors that use a cover lens (such as clear plastic PMMA) and the glass touch panel sensor. Direct bonding: To achieve the highest amount of contrast, such as in an outdoor viewing application, it is necessary to “directly bond” the cover lens to the LCD module. Use of silicone technology While traditional adhesive chemistry relies on acrylic-based liquid, new technologies include silicone. Silicone provides new methods for curing the adhesive. The following table illustrates the difference between acrylic and silicone in single and double curing processes. The curing process and inherent low modulus of silicone LOCA also helps reduce the amount of haze around the edges of large LCD screens. Silicone technology reduces shrinkage on substrates to less than 1% on larger displays, where acrylic technologies tend to be around 3–5%—depending on display size. Equipment Dispensing equipment usually includes bubble free dispensers by means of a bottle or cartridge. Curing equipment usually includes UV curing lamps or spot cure systems. Major suppliers of LOCA generally offer both dispensing and curing equipment. Notes Adhesives