Protective Coating Methods for Glove-Integrated RFID Tags - A Preliminary Study

In this study, machine washing durability of working glove-integrated passive RFID tags is evaluated. These glove-tags are embedded inside 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane platforms. The results are compared to platforms embedded inside brush-painted encapsulant platforms. For a preliminary washing reliability evaluation, both types of glove- integrated platforms are washed in a washing machine for 5 times. Although both platforms can protect glove-tags from the effects of water, the main reliability challenge is found to be the fragile antenna-IC attachments. This paper introduces the two platform materials and the achieved washing test results. These preliminary results determine the future direction of this research: The next step is to study suitable methods to strengthen the interconnections, so that these glove-tags can survive the harsh environment inside a washing machine.