Patent Description:
Thin film photovoltaics (PVs), organic PVs (OPVs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been fabricated by using various roll-to-roll (R2R) compatible printing and coating techniques. The structures have been printed usually in a form of stripes. However, the use of transparent or semi-transparent material limits the ability to align the printed layer in register. Furthermore, the rheological properties of some interlayer materials are quite different from the specifications determined by mechanical printing methods (namely gravure printing, flexography printing, screen printing, offset printing, pad printing, ink-jet printing, aerosol jet printing or the like) and the sufficient dimensional accuracy is challenging to obtain. There have been efforts to produce registration marks that could be detected by the registration camera for the custom-shaped (arbitrary) structures with OPV. However, that has not been a satisfying method.

Patent document <CIT> presents an electronic device with a cover. Patent document <CIT> presents an organic opto-electric device and a method for manufacturing the organic opto-electric device. Patent document <CIT> presents a lighting system. Patent document <CIT>.

A1 presents a single photovoltaic cell semi-transparent to light. Patent document <CIT> presents an optoelectronic component and method for producing the optoelectronic component. Patent document <CIT> presents a lighting element and a process for its manufacture. Patent document <CIT> presents a high-efficiency solar cell with insulated vias.

Hence, there is a need to improve the structure and a manufacturing method of the structure.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the apparatus. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a layered apparatus as specified in claim <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a layered apparatus in claim <NUM>.

The invention has advantages. The fabrication of patterned structures using a fully-covered thin film layer(s) and thicker, printed busbar electrode for operational contacting facilitates aligning problems related to the prior art without decreasing the electrical performance and visual appearance of the device. Materials which are invisible to the registration camera may be used.

It should be noted that while Figures illustrate various embodiments, they are simplified diagrams that only show some structures and/or functional entities. The connections shown in the Figures may refer to logical or physical connections. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the described apparatus may also comprise other functions and structures than those described in Figures and text. It should be appreciated that details of some functions or structures are irrelevant to the actual invention. Therefore, they need not be discussed in more detail here.

The use of coating methods limits the ability to directly pattern arbitrary, custom-shaped two-dimensional (2D) features which is considered to be a key factor for the successful commercialization especially with OPVs as recently recognized by many commercial players. In effect, customization is the key advantage of using printing over coating thus unlimited designs to any 2D shape is possible, giving true design freedom. However, the transparent/semi-transparent materials are difficult to align with the printed layer. The rheological properties of some materials may be different from the specifications determined by mechanical printing methods such as gravure printing, flexography printing, screen printing, offset printing, pad printing, ink-jet printing, aerosol jet printing or the like, which results in variations with the dimensional accuracy. In this application, a layer which is patterned may refer to a patterned transfer of material on a surface which directly results in a patterned layer, or a material which is first transferred on a surface in a non-patterned form and which is separately patterned by etching or the like, for example. A non-patterned layer, in turn, covers the entire layer on which the non-patterned layer is formed.

The new layered structure <NUM> an example of which is illustrated in <FIG> comprises an active layer structure 110A between a first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and a fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM>. The active layer structure 110A comprises at least an active layer <NUM>. At least one interlayer <NUM> and a non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> of the active layer structure 110A are optional. The operationally active layer structure 110A that is between the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> comprises at least one non-patterned layer, the at least one non-patterned layer in the active layer structure 110A being the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM>, the active layer <NUM> or an interlayer <NUM>. A thickness of the active layer structure 110A may typically be less than <NUM>.

The first electrically conductive layer <NUM> is on a substrate <NUM> for giving support and strength to the apparatus <NUM>. A second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM>, which is thicker than any other layer alone and which has electric contact with the first electrically conductive layer <NUM>, extends across the active layer structure 110A and has an electric contact with a third electrically conductive layer <NUM>. That it extends across the active layer structure 110A results from its thickness with respect to other layers.

The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is thicker than one or more non-patterned layers of the operationally active layer structure 110A. Namely, the one or more non-patterned layers are located on or above the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> layer, but as the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is thicker, it extends across and also through the one or more non-patterned layers of the active layer structure 110A. One or more patterned layers of the operationally active layer structure 110A are, in turn, considered so patterned that they do not located on or above the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM>, but instead the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is beside or between sections of the patterned layers of the operationally active layer structure 110A.

The third electrically conductive layer <NUM>, in turn, may be electrically insulated from the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, the third electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be in electrical contact with each other. The electric contact may be considered at least about the same as a galvanic contact i.e. the contact is electrically conductive.

In more detail, the layered apparatus <NUM> comprises a substrate <NUM>, and the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> is on and in contact with the substrate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be non-patterned which requires an insulating layer (not shown in Figures) between the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the active layer structure 110A or the active layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be patterned. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is in contact with the first electrically conductive layer <NUM>. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may also be called a busbar. The third electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> are on the opposite side of the layered apparatus <NUM> with respect to the substrate <NUM>. The fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> is electrically insulated from the first electrically conductive layer <NUM>, the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the third electrically conductive layer <NUM>. An operationally active layer structure 110A is between the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM>.

The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is thicker than the operationally active layer structure 110A. Thus, a top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> extends across the operationally active layer structure 110A for having an electrical contact with the third electrically conductive layer <NUM>. Thus, the top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may pass through or pierce the electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> and the operationally active layer structure 110A.

The substrate <NUM> may be flexible. The substrate <NUM> may be transparent in visible light. The visible light is electromagnetic radiation the wavelengths of which range about <NUM> to <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be thinner than about <NUM>. Material of the substrate <NUM> may be a polymer like plastic or glass. The material of the substrate <NUM> may comprise polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or flexible glass, for example.

The first electrically conductive layer <NUM> may at least partially cover the substrate <NUM>. Material of the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> may comprise indium tin oxide (ITO), fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO), and/or doped zinc oxide, graphene, carbon nanotubes, nano size conductive ink (for example silver, copper), nano silver wires, PEDOT:PSS (Poly(<NUM>,<NUM>-EthyleneDiOxyThiophene) PolyStyrene Sulfonate). At least one or both of the electrodes is electrically conductive and transparent in visible light.

The non-conducting layer <NUM> is often thin (thinner than <NUM>) and made of material (ZnO, doped-ZnO, TiOx or polymer, for example) which is transparent. That is why it is not visible to the registration camera which is used for aligning the layers to each other. If the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> is transparent, an at least partly transparent grid-structure may be used for the second electrically conductive layer <NUM> which may be used with PEDOT:PSS. The substrate <NUM> with the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be flexible and suitable for a roll-to-roll printing process.

The contact between the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is an electric contact. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is on the first electrically conductive layer <NUM>. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may penetrate the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and be in contact with the substrate <NUM>. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be differently patterned than the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> if the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> is patterned. The first electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be non-patterned if the non-conducting layer <NUM> and/or some other layer between the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the active layer structure 110A is an insulating layer. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is patterned although the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be non-patterned. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be made of silver paste, for example. In general, material of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM>, which is liquid-like, is transferred on the substrate <NUM> with or without the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> in a wet-process. In this application, the transfer of the liquid-like material of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> on the substrate <NUM> or the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> is considered printing. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may thus be printed using gravure printing, flexography printing and/or screen printing, for example. Printing enables a thick layer which can extend through other layer(s). Printing also results in a directly patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> which doesn't require further patterning. In this manner, automated camera registration may be used for the layer alignment to the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> on the basis of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> which is not transparent and which is visible to the registration camera. The second electrically conductive layer <NUM> may have a grid-structure in order to be transparent. In a similar manner, the fourth electrically conductive layer 114A may have a grid-structure for allowing light pass through, and the fourth electrically conductive layer 114B may be made of patterned PEDOT:PSS, for example. The non-conductive layer <NUM>, in turn, is visibly transparent or highly transparent. The first electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be directed to a desired location with the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> which is why both of them may need to be detectable by the registration camera.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the third electrically conductive layer <NUM> is above the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> which may be non-transparent. Thus, the third electrically conductive layer <NUM> prevents visual observation of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> from above of the apparatus. That is why the apparatus <NUM> appears neat for a person looking at it.

In an embodiment, a maximum thickness of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may range between about <NUM> and <NUM>, for example. In an embodiment, a thickness of the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> may range between <NUM> and <NUM>. Also a thickness of the interlayer <NUM> may range <NUM> to <NUM>. Material of the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> may comprise zinc oxide (ZnO), doped-ZnO, TiOx, SnO, and polymers such as electrically low conductive PEDOT:PSS (electrically non-conducting PEDOT:PSS), PEIE (PolyEthylenImine Ethoxylated) or PEI (PolyEthylenImine) or amino acids or their derivates. In this case the zinc oxide is non-doped or very lightly doped in order to keep it electrically insulating. The non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> may have a full coverage on the second electrically conductive layer <NUM> which means that the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> is not patterned and the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> covers the first patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> entirely. Because the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> is not patterned and has full coverage, it doesn't require camera registration for its application. The non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> may be made by using printing or coating methods. The non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> may be made by gravure printing, flexography printing, screen printing, reverse gravure printing, slot-die coating or the like, for example.

In this application, the non-conducting layer <NUM> refers to a layer that reduces or prevents the transfer of electric current. The non-conducting layer <NUM> reduces or prevents the flow of DC electric current. The non-conducting layer <NUM> reduces or prevents the transfer of electric current in the lateral direction i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the normal of the non-conducting layer <NUM>. The non-conducting layer <NUM> reduces or prevents movement of charge carriers such as electrons and/or holes. The non-conduction as such means that the transfer of electric current is reduced or blocked. The non-conducting layer <NUM> may discharge static electricity in the apparatus <NUM> and between the layers. In an embodiment, the non-conducting layer <NUM> may cover continuously the active layer structure 110A entirely. Additionally or alternatively, the active layer <NUM> may discharge static electricity in the apparatus <NUM> and between the layers.

In an embodiment, the active layer structure 110A may comprise at least one interlayer <NUM> which may be patterned or non-patterned. The interlayer <NUM> may discharge static electricity in the apparatus <NUM> and between the layers. The height variation at the top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is larger than the maximum thickness of one of the at least one interlayer <NUM>. The height variation at the top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is larger than the thickness of the active layer <NUM>, the at least one interlayer <NUM>, the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> alone or any combination thereof. The height variation at the top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is larger than the maximum thickness of the active layer <NUM>. The height variation at the top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is larger than a thickness of the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM>. The height variation at the top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is larger than a thickness of one interlayer <NUM>. The height variation at the top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is larger than a thickness of the at least one interlayer <NUM>, the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> and the thickness of the active layer <NUM> together.

A layer that may discharge static electricity may extend in one dimension or in a one-dimensional shape, like a narrow stripe straight or curved, over the apparatus or the substrate <NUM>. During manufacturing, a layer that may discharge static electricity may extend in one dimension over the substrate <NUM> in machine direction in a roll-to-roll process, for example. The discharge of static electricity is also possible when the layer that may discharge static electricity is non-patterned. The layer that may discharge static electricity may be electrically connected to an electrically conductive structure that is separate from the apparatus or substrate <NUM> at an edge of the substrate <NUM>. The electrically conductive structure that is separate from the apparatus or the substrate <NUM> may be a part of the environment.

Because of printing, the surface roughness of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> results in the height variation larger than the maximum thickness of one of the at least one interlayer <NUM>. Two interlayers <NUM> may be arranged such that one interlayer <NUM> is on one side of the active layer <NUM> and another interlayer <NUM> is on other side of the active layer <NUM>. That is, the active layer <NUM> may be sandwiched between two interlayers <NUM> in order to have the active layer structure 110A. The interlayer <NUM> may be printed. The two interlayers <NUM> on opposite sides of the active layer structure 110A may be of the same material or different materials.

The interlayer <NUM> may comprise a layer made of metal oxide such as MoOs (molybdenum oxide), V<NUM>O<NUM> (vanadium oxide), WO<NUM> (tungsten oxide), ZnO (zinc oxide), TiOx (titanium oxide), SnO (tin oxide) or fullerenes, or polymers such as low conductive grade of PEDOT:PSS, polyethylenimine (PEI), polyethylenimine ethoxylate (PEIE), poly [(<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>'-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl)-<NUM>,<NUM>-fluorene)-alt-<NUM>,<NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-dioctylfluorene)] (PFN) or amino acids and their derivates. The use of material may depend on selectivity to the holes/electrons. For example, tungsten trioxide (WO<NUM>), MoO<NUM>, V<NUM>O<NUM> or PEDOT:PSS may be used because of its selectivity to the holes. On the other hand, ZnO, TiOx, fullerenes, PEIE, PEI or PFN are used because of their selectivity to electrons. The non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> and the interlayer <NUM> may also comprise a combination of metal oxide and polymer/amino acids or their derivatives. The material of the interlayer <NUM> may be different on different sides of the active layer <NUM>. However, the at least one interlayer <NUM> is not necessary in all possible layered apparatuses <NUM>. Similarly, the non-conducting layer <NUM> is not necessary in all possible layered apparatuses <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the interlayer <NUM> may have a lower electrical conductivity than the patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, the interlayer <NUM> may cover continuously and entirely the active layer <NUM>. That is, the interlayer <NUM> may be non-patterned.

In the present invention, the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is printed for having a desired height variation at the top part 104A. In an embodiment, not forming part of the claimed invention, the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be etched for having a desired height variation at the top part 104A. In an embodiment, the second electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be made by etching.

In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM> between the first electrically conducting layer <NUM> and the active layer <NUM>. Then the active layer structure 110A comprises the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM>. The non-conducting layer <NUM> may be an insulator or a thin layer of ZnO, TiOx, SnOx (tin oxide) or the like. The top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> penetrates the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM>. In other words, the top part 104A of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> passes through or pierces the active layer <NUM> and the non-patterned electrically non-conducting layer <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the active layer <NUM> may comprise a layer made of poly(<NUM>-hexylthiophene):[<NUM>,<NUM>]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM), for example. The active layer <NUM> may be printed. A thickness of the active layer <NUM> may range <NUM> to <NUM>. The printing method may be gravure printing. The apparatus may be an organic solar cell, for example, without limiting to that.

In an embodiment, the active layer <NUM> and/or the active layer structure 110A may have a lower electrical conductivity than the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, the active layer <NUM> may have a full coverage on the lower interlayer <NUM>, on the non-conducting layer <NUM> or on the first electrically conductive layer <NUM>. That is, the active layer <NUM> may cover continuously the area of the entire first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and thus the active layer <NUM> may be non-patterned. In another embodiment, the active layer <NUM> may be patterned. Camera registration may or may not be used for the layer alignment when the active layer <NUM> or the active layer structure 110A is formed. The interlayer <NUM>, in turn, may or may not have a full coverage on the active layer <NUM>. The active layer <NUM> and the interlayer <NUM> have a low electrical conductivity which is between electrical conductivity of an electrical conductor and electrical conductivity of an electrical insulator.

In an embodiment, the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> may comprise two electrically conductive sublayers 114A, 114B. The electrically conductive sublayer 114A may be of similar material to the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> or the second electrically conductive layer <NUM>. At least one of the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> is transparent. If the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> is not transparent, the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> is required to be transparent as material or a grid. Material of the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be indium tin oxide (ITO), fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO), and/or doped zinc oxide, graphene, carbon nanotubes, silver nanotubes, nano size conductive ink (for example silver, copper), nano silver wires, PEDOT:PSS (Poly(<NUM>,<NUM>-EthyleneDiOxyThiophene) PolyStyrene Sulfonate), for example. In an embodiment, the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be made from silver paste. In an embodiment, the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be made by a rotary screen printing method or a flexography printing which maintains good dimensional accuracy. Automated camera registration may be used for the layer alignment when the fourth electrically conductive layer <NUM> is formed.

In an embodiment, the fourth electrically conductive layer 114A may be made from silver paste or nano silver wires, for example. In an embodiment, the fourth electrically conductive layer 114A may be made by a rotary screen printing method or a flexography printing which maintains good dimensional accuracy. Automated camera registration may be used for the layer alignment when the fourth electrically conductive layer 114A is formed.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> viewed from above. Only the substrate <NUM> and the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> are shown in <FIG> for simplicity. As can be seen, the shape of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may have a free form or a free shape. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may have a shape of a strip or a band the thickness of which is larger than at least one of the layers of the layered structure. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may have at least one round edge and/or at least one sharp edge with a sharp angle. The width of the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may be constant or it may vary in the longitudinal direction. The second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> may have branches or it may be branchless. In this manner, the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> forms a three-dimensional structure. Additionally, there may be a plurality of the second patterned electrically conductive layers <NUM> on one substrate <NUM> (<FIG> shows only one second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM>).

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate examples where there are more than one apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>' on one substrate <NUM>. The layered structure, per se, is the same or similar to that in <FIG>. Different apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>' may have poles P(<NUM>)+, P(<NUM>)- and P(<NUM>)+ which form different contact electrode pairs P(<NUM>)+, P(<NUM>)- and P(<NUM>)+. The poles P(<NUM>)+, P(<NUM>)- and P(<NUM>)+ may be inputs or outputs of electric signals. The contact electrode P(<NUM>)- may be common, and it may be coupled to ground, for example. In <FIG> the poles P(<NUM>)+, P(<NUM>)- and P(<NUM>)+ are coupled to one electric circuit CIRCUIT <NUM>. In such a case, both apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>' operate in a similar manner. That is, both apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>' input a signal to CIRCUIT <NUM> or both receive a signal from CIRCUIT <NUM>. Note that the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> is discontinuous between poles P(<NUM>) and P(<NUM>). The discontinuity results in electrical insulation.

In <FIG>, the poles P(<NUM>)+ and P(<NUM>)+ may be coupled to different electric circuits, CIRCUIT <NUM>, CIRCUIT <NUM>. In this case, both apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>' may operate in a different manner. That is, the apparatus <NUM> may input a signal to CIRCUIT <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM>' may then be inactive. The apparatus <NUM>' may input a signal to CIRCUIT <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM> may then be inactive. The apparatus <NUM> may input signal to CIRCUIT <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM>' may input a signal to CIRCUIT <NUM>. Alternatively, the apparatus <NUM> may receive a signal from CIRCUIT <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM>' may then be inactive. The apparatus <NUM>' may receive a signal from CIRCUIT <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM> may then be inactive. The apparatus <NUM> may receive signal from CIRCUIT <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM>' may receive a signal from CIRCUIT <NUM>. Because the layered structure doesn't restrict the coupling between a plurality of them, the structures illustrated in <FIG> may, in general, be coupled in series, parallel or in backplane.

The fabrication of patterned structures for electronics/organic electronics e.g. OPV, thin film-PV and OLEDs using a full coverage of thin film layer(s) together with printed busbar electrode enables a true design freedom. Below there are examples of components which may utilize the layered structure:.

The fabrication of custom-shaped 2D features with unlimited designs to any 2D shape using materials that are not visible to the registration camera and/or are challenging to print in patterns that have a high dimensional accuracy. Application areas may be custom-shape OPVs, custom-shape thin film PVs, custom-shape perovskites, custom-shape OLEDs or the like, for example.

<FIG> is a flow chart of the measurement method. In step <NUM>, a first patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is formed in contact with a substrate <NUM>. In step <NUM>, a second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> is formed on and in contact with the first patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM>. In step <NUM>, an active layer structure 110A is formed on and in contact with the first electrically conductive layer <NUM> and the second patterned electrically conductive layer <NUM> which is thicker than the operationally active layer structure 110A in order to extend across the operationally active layer structure 110A.

The method allows using materials that are i) not visible to the registration camera, ii) that are challenging to print in patterns of high dimensional accuracy, and iii) that discharge static electricity through at least one conductive layer. This means that custom-shaped 2D features with unlimited designs to any 2D shape are possible which may provide true design freedom. Additionally, the use of this kind of processing method may be traced from the customized features enabling to protect these process phases. That is, the product can be visually distinguished from the prior art products.

Claim 1:
A layered apparatus (<NUM>) that comprises
a substrate (<NUM>),
a first electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) on and in contact with the substrate (<NUM>),
a second patterned electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) on and in contact with the first electrically conductive layer (<NUM>),
a third electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) above the second patterned electrically conductive layer (<NUM>),
a fourth electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) which is electrically insulated from the first electrically conductive layer (<NUM>), the second patterned electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) and the third electrically conductive layer (<NUM>),
an operationally active layer structure (110A) between the first electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) and the fourth electrically conductive layer (<NUM>), the operationally active layer structure (<NUM>) comprising at least one non-patterned layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the operationally active layer comprising at least an active layer (<NUM>), characterized in that
the second patterned electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) is configured to extend across the operationally active layer structure (110A) through the at least one non-patterned layer of operationally active layer structure (110A) on the basis of a height variation and thickness of the second patterned electrically conductive layer (<NUM>), the height variation and thickness of the second patterned electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) being enabled by printing the second patterned electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) in a wet-process, wherein the second patterned electrically conductive layer (<NUM>) is thicker than the operationally active layer structure (110A), for having an electrical contact with the third electrically conductive layer (<NUM>).