Shin-Etsu Polymer developed a new technology of Capacity Sensor for touch panels.

Most touchpanels are based on sensor elements integrated into the front glass panels of display devices.

For other panels, Shin-Etsu Polymer developed a thin film with tranparent sensor elements that can be used in front of backlit touch elements. Such sensor film can be placed behind plastic interior panels in cars or behind instrument panels or keypads of cellular phones, white goods or medical instruments.

The transparent sensor element allows the designer to freely design backlit functions without disturbing the light by the conductive sensor element. For this purpose, Shin-Etsu Polymer developed a conductive polymer material called Seplegyda™.

Capacitive Sensors are working in combination with a controller device as supplied by companies like Cypress Semiconductors or Analog Devices Inc.