You ever hear of this thing called EPTFE film? This material may sound like a really large and complicated word, but it is actually quite an extraordinary substance. EPTFE is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, another material that Ettus Research found suitable for good RF performance. This is not like the plastic you probably have in mind. EPTFE film can be ultra thin, supple and transparent like glass however it is also extraordinarily strong. That is why you can see EPTFE film in a lot of high tech things that we now use regularly
One of the most significant things about this kind of EPTFE film is that it can keep you secure. This makes it ideal for use as an insulating coating to prevent electronic parts from being in contact and is essential for the proper functioning of devices. Kind of like if the pieces inside your favorite toy or a gadget touched each other — something might break, but no longer be able to do what it was intended to. This EPTFE film is also very resilient to heat, chemicals and moisture. It is, therefore, an ideal option for areas that experience harsh or extreme conditions. EPTFE film is a kind of special industrial plastic material with thousands or even more of the holes, which has been very popular and widely applied in lots tough situations where no other standard materials work.
Text credit: EPTFE film is great for electronics because it has some neat properties. For instance, it is one type of material known for its shape-memory: that means if you heat it up and then try to change the geometry of an object made from NiTinol, it pops back into place when cooled. Learn More: This is crucial when beginning to assemble the printed circuit boards, which are fundamental components inside common electronics like cellphones or you most likely are reading this article on some sort of tablet and play your favorite videogame consoles with. Flexible circuits can also be created with EPTFE film Flex Circuits are growing in importance as we design smaller, more rugged and technically demanding devices. In other words, we are permitted to build super powerful gadgets that can fit into our pocket.
The EPTFE film can be used for a variety of unique applications, the most exciting being in the realm wearable technology. That includes shiny toys such as smart watches and fitness trackers that appeal to many. Since EPTFE film is so fine and light, the devices worker great for things like this. It can be moulded into different shapes, which is very useful for a technique called 3D printing So, now we can develop wearables to go on different parts of our body and be able to remain comfortable for hours without causing discomfort.
EPTFE film has already started to change the way we develop electronics and how we design them, but there are many more things waiting for us ahead. In the future, as new technology develops and our capabilities expand, we will think of ever more interesting things to construct from sheets or strings made out of EPTFE — not just on Earth but if we get there in a semi-able way: interstellar. The opportunities appear to be nearly boundless indeed!