High-resolution electrohydrodynamic jet printing

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Research areas:
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Year: 2007
Type of Publication: Article
Authors:
  • Jang-Ung Park, Seong Jun Kang Matt Hardy
Journal: Nature Materials Volume: 6
Number: 10 Pages: 782-789
Month: OCT 2007
BibTex:
Note:
PT: J; TC: 237; UT: WOS:000249866700027
Abstract:
Efforts to adapt and extend graphic arts printing techniques for demanding device applications in electronics, biotechnology and microelectromechanical systems have grown rapidly in recent years. Here, we describe the use of electrohydrodynamically induced fluid flows through fine microcapillary nozzles for jet printing of patterns and functional devices with submicrometre resolution. Key aspects of the physics of this approach, which has some features in common with related but comparatively low-resolution techniques for graphic arts, are revealed through direct high-speed imaging of the droplet formation processes. Printing of complex patterns of inks, ranging from insulating and conducting polymers, to solution suspensions of silicon nanoparticles and rods, to single-walled carbon nanotubes, using integrated computer-controlled printer systems illustrates some of the capabilities. High-resolution printed metal interconnects, electrodes and probing pads for representative circuit patterns and functional transistors with critical dimensions as small as 1 mu m demonstrate potential applications in printed electronics.