This work was supported by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Grant number: R21XO01-24), the Competency Development Program for Industry Specialists of the Korean MOTIE operated by KIAT (No. P0012453), and the Chung-Ang University Graduate Research Scholarship 2021.

<ol>
	<li>Valentine, A. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hybrid+3D+printing+of+soft+electronics.">Hybrid 3D printing of soft electronics.</a> Advanced Materials. 29 (40), 1703817 (2017).</li><li>Liang, K., Carmone, S., Brambilla, D., Leroux, J. -. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=3D+printing+of+a+wearable+personalized+oral+delivery+device:+A+first-in-human+study.">3D printing of a wearable personalized oral delivery device: A first-in-human study.</a> Science Advances. 4 (5), (2018).</li><li>Joshi, S. C., Sheikh, A. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=3D+printing+in+aerospace+and+its+long-term+sustainability.">3D printing in aerospace and its long-term sustainability.</a> Virtual and Physical Prototyping. 10 (4), 175-185 (2015).</li><li>Wang, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Paper-based+chemiluminescence+ELISA:+Lab-on-paper+based+on+chitosan+modified+paper+device+and+wax-screen-printing.">Paper-based chemiluminescence ELISA: Lab-on-paper based on chitosan modified paper device and wax-screen-printing.</a> Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 31 (1), 212-218 (2012).</li><li>Vohra, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Low-cost+and+green+fabrication+of+polymer+electronic+devices+by+push-coating+of+the+polymer+active+layers.">Low-cost and green fabrication of polymer electronic devices by push-coating of the polymer active layers.</a> ACS Applied Materials &amp; Interfaces. 9 (30), 25434-25444 (2017).</li><li>Sch&#252;ffelgen, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selective+area+growth+and+stencil+lithography+for+in+situ+fabricated+quantum+devices.">Selective area growth and stencil lithography for in situ fabricated quantum devices.</a> Nature Nanotechnology. 14 (9), 825-831 (2019).</li><li>Karim, N., Afroj, S., Tan, S., Novoselov, K. S., Yeates, S. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=All+inkjet-printed+graphene-silver+composite+ink+on+textiles+for+highly+conductive+wearable+electronics+applications.">All inkjet-printed graphene-silver composite ink on textiles for highly conductive wearable electronics applications.</a> Scientific Reports. 9 (1), 8035 (2019).</li><li>Singh, M., Haverinen, H. M., Dhagat, P., Jabbour, G. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inkjet+printing-Process+and+its+applications.">Inkjet printing-Process and its applications.</a> Advanced Materials. 22 (6), 673-685 (2010).</li><li>An, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Three-dimensional+multi-recognition+flexible+wearable+sensor+via+graphene+aerogel+printing.">Three-dimensional multi-recognition flexible wearable sensor via graphene aerogel printing.</a> Chemical Communications. 52 (73), 10948-10951 (2016).</li><li>Ko, S. H., Chung, J., Hotz, N., Nam, K. H., Grigoropoulos, C. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Metal+nanoparticle+direct+inkjet+printing+for+low-temperature+3D+micro+metal+structure+fabrication.">Metal nanoparticle direct inkjet printing for low-temperature 3D micro metal structure fabrication.</a> Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. 20 (12), 125010 (2010).</li><li>Li, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+inkjet+printing+of+graphene.">Efficient inkjet printing of graphene.</a> Advanced Materials. 25 (29), 3985-3992 (2013).</li><li>Burke, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultracapacitors:+why,+how,+where+is+the+technology.">Ultracapacitors: why, how, where is the technology.</a> Journal of Power Sources. 91 (1), 37-50 (2000).</li><li>Qorbani, M., Khajehdehi, O., Sabbah, A., Naseri, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ti-rich+TiO2+tubular+nanolettuces+by+electrochemical+anodization+for+all-solid-state+high-rate+supercapacitor+devices.">Ti-rich TiO2 tubular nanolettuces by electrochemical anodization for all-solid-state high-rate supercapacitor devices.</a> ChemSusChem. 12 (17), 4064-4073 (2019).</li><li>Areir, M., Xu, Y., Harrison, D., Fyson, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=3D+printing+of+highly+flexible+supercapacitor+designed+for+wearable+energy+storage.">3D printing of highly flexible supercapacitor designed for wearable energy storage.</a> Materials Science and Engineering: B. 226, 29-38 (2017).</li><li>Fialkov, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Carbon+application+in+chemical+power+sources.">Carbon application in chemical power sources.</a> Russian Journal of Electrochemistry. 36 (4), 345-366 (2000).</li><li>Pandolfo, A. G., Hollenkamp, A. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Carbon+properties+and+their+role+in+supercapacitors.">Carbon properties and their role in supercapacitors.</a> Journal of Power Sources. 157 (1), 11-27 (2006).</li><li>Egorov, V., Gulzar, U., Zhang, Y., Breen, S., O'Dwyer, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evolution+of+3D+printing+methods+and+materials+for+electrochemical+energy+storage.">Evolution of 3D printing methods and materials for electrochemical energy storage.</a> Advanced Materials. 32 (29), 2000556 (2020).</li><li>Seol, M. -. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=All-printed+in-plane+supercapacitors+by+sequential+additive+manufacturing+process.">All-printed in-plane supercapacitors by sequential additive manufacturing process.</a> ACS Applied Energy Materials. 3 (5), 4965-4973 (2020).</li><li>Park, S. H., Kaur, M., Yun, D., Kim, W. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hierarchically+designed+electron+paths+in+3D+printed+energy+storage+devices.">Hierarchically designed electron paths in 3D printed energy storage devices.</a> Langmuir. 34 (37), 10897-10904 (2018).</li><li>Sajedi-Moghaddam, A., Rahmanian, E., Naseri, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inkjet-printing+technology+for+supercapacitor+application:+Current+state+and+perspectives.">Inkjet-printing technology for supercapacitor application: Current state and perspectives.</a> ACS Applied Materials &amp; Interfaces. 12 (31), 34487-34504 (2020).</li><li>Komuro, N., Takaki, S., Suzuki, K., Citterio, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inkjet+printed+(bio)chemical+sensing+devices.">Inkjet printed (bio)chemical sensing devices.</a> Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 405 (17), 5785-5805 (2013).</li><li>Kim, J., Kumar, R., Bandodkar, A. J., Wang, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advanced+materials+for+printed+wearable+electrochemical+devices:+A+review.">Advanced materials for printed wearable electrochemical devices: A review.</a> Advanced Electronic Materials. 3 (1), 1600260 (2017).</li><li>Calvert, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inkjet+printing+for+materials+and+devices.">Inkjet printing for materials and devices.</a> Chemistry of Materials. 13 (10), 3299-3305 (2001).</li><li>Zhou, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-throughput+characterization+of+fluid+properties+to+predict+droplet+ejection+for+three-dimensional+inkjet+printing+formulations.">High-throughput characterization of fluid properties to predict droplet ejection for three-dimensional inkjet printing formulations.</a> Additive Manufacturing. 29, 100792 (2019).</li><li>Ebnesajjad, S., Ebnesajjad, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Handbook of Adhesives and Surface Preparation. , 21-30 (2011).</li></ol>

The authors have no disclosures.

The critical steps in this protocol are involved in the software parameter setup to print the designed pattern by finely adjusting the parameter values. Customized printing can lead to structural optimization and obtaining new mechanical properties19. The inkjet printing method with software parameter control can be used for sophisticated printing in various industries by selecting the optimized material for the printing process.
In the fabrication of supercapacitors us...

In the past decades, multiple printing methods have been developed for various applications, including wearable devices1, pharmaceuticals2, and aerospace components3. The printing can be easily adapted for various devices by simply changing the materials to be used. Moreover, it prevents the wastage of raw materials. To manufacture electronic devices, several printing methods such as screen printing4, push-coating5, and lithography6 have been developed. Compared to these printing technologies, the inkjet printing method has multiple advantages, including reduced material waste, compatibility with multiple substrates7, low cost8, flexibility9, low-temperature processing10, and ease of mass production11. However, the application of the inkjet printing method has hardly been suggested for certain sophisticated devices. Here, we present a protocol establishing detailed guidelines to use the inkjet printing method for printing a supercapacitor device.
Supercapacitors, including pseudocapacitors and electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), are emerging as energy storage devices that can complement conventional lithium-ion batteries12,13. Especially, EDLC is a promising energy storage device because of its low cost, high power density, and long cycle life14. Activated carbon (AC), having high specific surface area and conductivity, is used as electrode material in commercial EDLCs15. These properties of AC allow EDLCs to have a high electrochemical capacitance16. EDLCs have the passive volume in devices when the conventional fixed-size fabrication method is used. With inkjet printing, the EDLCs can be fully integrated into the product design. Therefore, the device fabricated using the inkjet printing method is functionally better than that fabricated by existing fixed-size methodologies17. The fabrication of EDLCs using the efficient inkjet printing method maximizes the stability and longevity of EDLCs and provides a free-form factor18. The printing patterns were designed by using a PCB CAD program and converted to Gerber files. The designed patterns were printed using an inkjet printer because it has precise software-enabled control, high material throughput, and printing stability.

<table><tbody><tr><td>2&amp;rdquo; x 3&amp;rdquo; FR&amp;shy;4 board</td><td>Voltera</td><td>SKU: 1000066</td><td>PCB substrate</td></tr><tr><td>Activated carbon</td><td>MTI</td><td>Np-Ag-0530HT</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Eagle CAD</td><td>Autodesk</td><td></td><td>PCB CAD program</td></tr><tr><td>Ethyl cellulose</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>46070</td><td>48.0-49.5% (w/w) ethoxyl basis</td></tr><tr><td>Flex 2 conductive ink</td><td>Voltera</td><td>SKU: 1000333</td><td>Flexible Ag ink</td></tr><tr><td>Lithium perchlorate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>634565</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Propylene carbonate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>310328</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PVDF</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>182702</td><td>average Mw ~534,000 by GPC</td></tr><tr><td>Smart Manager</td><td>ZIVE LAB</td><td>ver : 6. 6. 8. 9</td><td>Electrochemical analysis program</td></tr><tr><td>Super-P</td><td>Hyundai</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Terpineol</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>432628</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Thinky mixer</td><td>Thinky</td><td>ARE-310</td><td>Planetary mixer</td></tr><tr><td>Triton-X</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>X100</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>V-One printer</td><td>Voltera</td><td>SKU: 1000329</td><td>PCB printer</td></tr><tr><td>ZIVE SP1</td><td>Wonatech</td><td></td><td>Potentiostat device</td></tr></tbody></table>

elaborate control of inkjet printer for fabrication of chip-based supercapacitors

There are tremendous efforts in various fields to apply the inkjet printing method for the fabrication of wearable devices, displays, and energy storage devices. To get high-quality products, however, sophisticated operation skills are required depending on the physical properties of the ink materials. In this regard, optimizing the inkjet printing parameters is as important as developing the physical properties of the ink materials. In this study, optimization of the inkjet printing software parameters is presented for fabricating a supercapacitor. Supercapacitors are attractive energy storage systems because of their high power density, long lifespan, and various applications as power sources. Supercapacitors can be used in the Internet of Things (IoT), smartphones, wearable devices, electrical vehicles (EVs), large energy storage systems, etc. The wide range of applications demands a new method that can fabricate devices in various scales. The inkjet printing method can break through the conventional fixed-size&#160;fabrication method.

The ink was synthesized according to step 2, and the characteristics of the ink could be confirmed according to reference18. Figure 8 shows the structural properties of conductive ink and EDLC ink, as well as the rheological properties of EDLC ink reported in the previous research18. The conductive ink is well sintered to form continuous conducting paths, and the nanoscale roughness is expected to increase the contact area with the EDLC ink (<s...

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Elaborate Control of Inkjet Printer for Fabrication of Chip-based Supercapacitors

This paper provides a technique for manufacturing chip-based supercapacitors using an inkjet printer. Methodologies are described in detail to synthesize inks, adjust software parameters, and analyze the electrochemical results of the manufactured supercapacitor.

There are tremendous efforts in various fields to apply the inkjet printing method for the fabrication of wearable devices, displays, and energy storage ...

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2.7K Views.  Chung-Ang University. Dit protocol overwint de bestaande supercondensator van vaste grootte en biedt een methode om een supercondensator in vrije vorm te produceren door middel van nauwkeurig inkjetprinten. Door dit protocol kan de efficiëntie van menselijke en materiële middelen worden gewaarborgd. Ook kan het bieden van softwarebesturingsmethode voor inkjetprinters aan gebruikers helpen bij het produceren van nauwkeurigere supercondensatoren.Deze technologie biedt een manier om inkjetprinters te verwerk...

Video: Elaborate Control of Inkjet Printer for Fabrication of Chip-based Supercapacitors

Planar and Three-Dimensional Printing of Conductive Inks

Printed electronics rely on low-cost, large-area fabrication routes to create flexible or multidimensional electronic, optoelectronic, and biomedical devices1-3. In this paper, we focus on one- (1D), two- (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) printing of conductive metallic inks in the form of flexible, stretchable, and spanning microelectrodes.
Direct-write assembly4,5 is a 1-to-3D printing technique that enables the fabrication of features ranging from simple lines to complex structures by the deposition of concentrated inks through fine nozzles (~0.1 - 250 &mu;m). This printing method consists of a computer-controlled 3-axis translation stage, an ink reservoir and nozzle, and 10x telescopic lens for visualization. Unlike inkjet printing, a droplet-based process, direct-write assembly involves the extrusion of ink filaments either in- or out-of-plane. The printed filaments typically conform to the nozzle size. Hence, microscale features (&lt; 1 &mu;m) can be patterned and assembled into larger arrays and multidimensional architectures.
In this paper, we first synthesize a highly concentrated silver nanoparticle ink for planar and 3D printing via direct-write assembly. Next, a standard protocol for printing microelectrodes in multidimensional motifs is demonstrated. Finally, applications of printed microelectrodes for electrically small antennas, solar cells, and light-emitting diodes are highlighted.

Planar and three-dimensional printing of conductive metallic inks is described. Our approach provides new avenues for fabricating printed electronic, optoelectronic, and biomedical devices in unusual layouts at the microscale.

Printed electronics rely on low-cost, large-area fabrication routes to create flexible or multidimensional electronic, optoelectronic, and biomedical ...

Bioengineering

Creating Transient Cell Membrane Pores Using a Standard Inkjet Printer

Bioprinting has a wide range of applications and significance, including tissue engineering, direct cell application therapies, and biosensor microfabrication.1-10 Recently, thermal inkjet printing has also been used for gene transfection.8,9 The thermal inkjet printing process was shown to temporarily disrupt the cell membranes without affecting cell viability. The transient pores in the membrane can be used to introduce molecules, which would otherwise be too large to pass through the membrane, into the cell cytoplasm.8,9,11
The application being demonstrated here is the use of thermal inkjet printing for the incorporation of fluorescently labeled g-actin monomers into cells. The advantage of using thermal ink-jet printing to inject molecules into cells is that the technique is relatively benign to cells.8, 12 Cell viability after printing has been shown to be similar to standard cell plating methods1,8. In addition, inkjet printing can process thousands of cells in minutes, which is much faster than manual microinjection. The pores created by printing have been shown to close within about two hours. However, there is a limit to the size of the pore created (~10 nm) with this printing technique, which limits the technique to injecting cells with small proteins and/or particles. 8,9,11
A standard HP DeskJet 500 printer was modified to allow for cell printing.3, 5, 8 The cover of the printer was removed and the paper feed mechanism was bypassed using a mechanical lever. A stage was created to allow for placement of microscope slides and coverslips directly under the print head. Ink cartridges were opened, the ink was removed and they were cleaned prior to use with cells. The printing pattern was created using standard drawing software, which then controlled the printer through a simple print command. 3T3 fibroblasts were grown to confluence, trypsinized, and then resuspended into phosphate buffered saline with soluble fluorescently labeled g-actin monomers. The cell suspension was pipetted into the ink cartridge and lines of cells were printed onto glass microscope cover slips. The live cells were imaged using fluorescence microscopy and actin was found throughout the cytoplasm. Incorporation of fluorescent actin into the cell allows for imaging of short-time cytoskeletal dynamics and is useful for a wide range of applications.13-15

A description of the methods used to convert an HP DeskJet 500 printer into a bioprinter. The printer is capable of processing living cells, which causes transient pores in the membrane. These pores can be utilized to incorporate small molecules, including fluorescent G-actin, into the printed cells.

Bioprinting has a wide range of applications and significance, including tissue engineering, direct cell application therapies, and biosensor ...

Printing Fabrication of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells and In Situ Morphology Characterization

Polymer-based materials hold promise as low-cost, flexible efficient photovoltaic devices. Most laboratory efforts to achieve high performance devices have used devices prepared by spin coating, a process that is not amenable to large-scale fabrication. This mismatch in device fabrication makes it difficult to translate quantitative results obtained in the laboratory to the commercial level, making optimization difficult. Using a mini-slot die coater, this mismatch can be resolved by translating the commercial process to the laboratory and characterizing the structure formation in the active layer of the device in real time and in situ as films are coated onto a substrate. The evolution of the morphology was characterized under different conditions, allowing us to propose a mechanism by which the structures form and grow. This mini-slot die coater offers a simple, convenient, material efficient route by which the morphology in the active layer can be optimized under industrially relevant conditions. The goal of this protocol is to show experimental details of how a solar cell device is fabricated using a mini-slot die coater and technical details of running in situ structure characterization using the mini-slot die coater.

Printing Fabrication of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells and In Situ Morphology Characterization

Here, we present a protocol to fabricate organic thin film solar cells using a mini-slot die coater and related in-line structure characterizations using synchrotron scattering techniques.

Polymer-based materials hold promise as low-cost, flexible efficient photovoltaic devices. Most laboratory efforts to achieve high performance devices ...

Laser-induced Forward Transfer of Ag Nanopaste

Over the past decade, there has been much development of non-lithographic methods1-3 for printing metallic inks or other functional materials. Many of these processes such as inkjet3 and laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT)4 have become increasingly popular as interest in printable electronics and maskless patterning has grown. These additive manufacturing processes are inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and well suited for rapid prototyping, when compared to more traditional semiconductor processing techniques. While most direct-write processes are confined to two-dimensional structures and cannot handle materials with high viscosity (particularly inkjet), LIFT can transcend both constraints if performed properly. Congruent transfer of three dimensional pixels (called voxels), also referred to as laser decal transfer (LDT)5-9, has recently been demonstrated with the LIFT technique using highly viscous Ag nanopastes to fabricate freestanding interconnects, complex voxel shapes, and high-aspect-ratio structures. In this paper, we demonstrate a simple yet versatile process for fabricating a variety of micro- and macroscale Ag structures. Structures include simple shapes for patterning electrical contacts, bridging and cantilever structures, high-aspect-ratio structures, and single-shot, large area transfers using a commercial digital micromirror device (DMD) chip.

We demonstrate the use of the Laser-induced forward transfer technique (LIFT) for the printing of high-viscosity Ag paste. This technique offers a simple, low temperature, robust process for non-lithographically printing microscale 2D and 3D structures.

Over the past decade, there has been much development of non-lithographic methods1-3 for printing metallic inks or other functional materials. Many of ...

Digital Printing of Titanium Dioxide for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Silicon solar cell manufacturing is an expensive and high energy consuming process. In contrast, dye sensitized solar cell production is less environmentally damaging with lower processing temperatures presenting a viable and low cost alternative to conventional production. This paper further enhances these environmental credentials by evaluating the digital printing and therefore additive production route for these cells. This is achieved here by investigating the formation and performance of a metal oxide photoelectrode using nanoparticle sized titanium dioxide. An ink-jettable material was formulated, characterized and printed with a piezoelectric inkjet head to produce a 2.6 &#181;m thick layer. The resultant printed layer was fabricated into a functioning cell with an active area of 0.25 cm2 and a power conversion efficiency of 3.5%. The binder-free formulation resulted in a reduced processing temperature of 250 &#176;C, compatible with flexible polyamide substrates which are stable up to temperatures of 350 &#730;C. The authors are continuing to develop this process route by investigating inkjet printing of other layers within dye sensitized solar cells.

This paper investigates the suitability of inkjet printing for the manufacturing of dye-sensitized solar cells. A binder-free TiO2 nanoparticle ink was formulated and printed onto a FTO glass substrate. The printed layer was fabricated into a cell with an active area of 0.25 cm2 and an efficiency of 3.5%.

Silicon solar cell manufacturing is an expensive and high energy consuming process. In contrast, dye sensitized solar cell production is less ...

Inkjet-printed Polyvinyl Alcohol Multilayers

Inkjet printing is a modern method for polymer processing, and in this work, we demonstrate that this technology is capable of producing polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) multilayer structures. A polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution was formulated. The intrinsic properties of the ink, such as surface tension, viscosity, pH, and time stability, were investigated. The PVOH-based ink was a neutral solution (pH 6.7) with a surface tension of 39.3 mN/m and a viscosity of 7.5 cP. The ink displayed pseudoplastic (non-Newtonian shear thinning) behavior at low shear rates, and overall, it demonstrated good time stability. The wettability of the ink on different substrates was investigated, and glass was identified as the most suitable substrate in this particular case. A proprietary 3D inkjet printer was employed to manufacture polymer multilayer structures. The morphology, surface profile, and thickness uniformity of inkjet-printed multilayers were evaluated via optical microscopy.

An inkjet printer was used to manufacture polyvinyl alcohol multilayers. Polyvinyl alcohol water-based ink was formulated, and the main physical properties were investigated.

Inkjet printing is a modern method for polymer processing, and in this work, we demonstrate that this technology is capable of producing polyvinyl alcohol ...

Inkjet Printing All Inorganic Halide Perovskite Inks for Photovoltaic Applications

A method for synthesizing photoactive inorganic&#160;perovskite quantum dot inks and an inkjet printer deposition method, using the synthesized inks, are demonstrated. The ink synthesis is based on a simple wet chemical reaction and the inkjet printing protocol is a facile step by step method. The inkjet printed thin films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescent spectroscopy, and electronic transport measurements. X-ray diffraction of the printed quantum dot films indicates a crystal structure consistent with an orthorhombic room temperature phase with (001) orientation. In conjunction with other characterization methods, the X-ray diffraction&#160;measurements show high quality films can be obtained through the inkjet printing method.

A protocol for synthesizing inorganic-lead-halide hybrid perovskite quantum dot inks for inkjet printing and the protocol for preparing and printing the quantum dot inks in an inkjet printer with post characterization techniques are presented.

A method for synthesizing photoactive inorganic&#160;perovskite quantum dot inks and an inkjet printer deposition method, using the synthesized inks, are ...

Chemistry

Reactive Inkjet Printing and Propulsion Analysis of Silk-based Self-propelled Micro-stirrers

In this study, a protocol for using reactive inkjet printing to fabricate enzymatically propelled silk swimmers with well-defined shapes is reported. The resulting devices are an example of self-propelled objects capable of generating motion without external actuation and have potential applications in medicine and environmental sciences for a variety of purposes ranging from micro-stirring, targeted therapeutic delivery, to water remediation (e.g., cleaning oil spills). This method employs reactive inkjet printing to generate well-defined small-scale solid silk structures by converting water soluble regenerated silk fibroin (silk I) to insoluble silk fibroin (silk II). These structures are also selectively doped in specific regions with the enzyme catalase in order to produce motion via bubble generation and detachment. The number of layers printed determines the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the device, and so here the effect of this parameter on the propulsive trajectories is reported. The results demonstrate the ability to tune the motion by varying the dimensions of the printed structures.

This protocol demonstrates the ability to utilize reactive inkjet printing to print self-motile biocompatible and environmentally friendly micro-stirrers for use in biomedical and environmental applications.

In this study, a protocol for using reactive inkjet printing to fabricate enzymatically propelled silk swimmers with well-defined shapes is reported. The ...

Hybrid Printing for the Fabrication of Smart Sensors

A method to combine additively manufactured substrates or foils and multilayer inkjet printing for the fabrication of sensor devices is presented. First, three substrates (acrylate, ceramics, and copper) are prepared. To determine the resulting material properties of these substrates, profilometer, contact angle, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and focused ion beam (FIB) measurements are done. The achievable printing resolution and suitable drop volume for each substrate are, then, found through the drop size tests. Then, layers of insulating and conductive ink are inkjet printed alternately to fabricate the target sensor structures. After each printing step, the respective layers are individually treated by photonic curing. The parameters used for the curing of each layer are adapted depending on the printed ink, as well as on the surface properties of the respective substrate. To confirm the resulting conductivity and to determine the quality of the printed surface, four-point probe and profilometer measurements are done. Finally, a measurement set-up and results achieved by such an all-printed sensor system are shown to demonstrate the achievable quality.

Here we present a protocol for the fabrication of inkjet-printed multilayer sensor structures on additively manufactured substrates and foil.

A method to combine additively manufactured substrates or foils and multilayer inkjet printing for the fabrication of sensor devices is presented. First, ...

Microfluidic Channel-Based Soft Electrodes for Capacitive Pressure Sensing

Microfluidic Channel-Based Soft Electrodes and Their Application in Capacitive Pressure Sensing

Flexible and stretchable electrodes are essential components in soft artificial sensory systems. Despite recent advances in flexible electronics, most electrodes are either restricted by the patterning resolution or the capability of inkjet printing with high-viscosity super-elastic materials. In this paper, we present a simple strategy to fabricate microchannel-based stretchable composite electrodes, which can be achieved by scraping elastic conductive polymer composites (ECPCs) into lithographically embossed microfluidic channels. The ECPCs were prepared by a volatile solvent evaporation method, which achieves a uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. Compared to conventional fabrication methods, the proposed technique can facilitate the rapid fabrication of well-defined stretchable electrodes with high-viscosity slurry. Since the electrodes in this work were made up of all-elastomeric materials, strong interlinks can be formed between the ECPCs-based electrodes and the PDMS-based substrate at the interfaces of the microchannel walls, which allows the electrodes to exhibit mechanical robustness under high tensile strains. In addition, the mechanical-electric response of the electrodes was also systematically studied. Finally, a soft pressure sensor was developed by combining a dielectric silicone foam and an interdigitated electrodes (IDE) layer, and this demonstrated great potential for pressure sensors in soft robotic tactile sensing applications.

Author Spotlight: Microfluidic Channel-Based Soft Electrodes and Their Application in Capacitive Pressure Sensing  

Flexible electrodes have a wide range of applications in soft robotics and wearable electronics. The present protocol demonstrates a new strategy to fabricate highly stretchable electrodes with high resolution via lithographically defined microfluidic channels, which paves the way for future high-performance soft pressure sensors.

Flexible and stretchable electrodes are essential components in soft artificial sensory systems. Despite recent advances in flexible electronics, most ...

Elaborate Control of Inkjet Printer for Fabrication of Chip-based Supercapacitors

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