More on Inkjet Printing

 

Inkjet printing is a digital, non-contact, mask-less and master-less addictive manufacturing technology that has long been used in homes and offices to print high quality documents. This technology is now available for material scientist to prepare thin films and patterns on substrates. It is particularly important due to its good resolution, compatibility with almost all substrates, lack of material wastage, flexibility and ability to print even on 3D objects.

 

Micro patterns and films used in device engineering for example microfluidics (lab-on-a-chip), microlenses, waveguides, sensors, flexible and organic electronics, etc require stringent resolution and accuracy for optimum performance. Photolithography became the standard for achieving such fineness but it is hampered in its widespread use due to use of expensive methods and clean room facility, time and material wasting processes, and chemicals which can be rather harsh for sensitive substrates and materials. Soft lithography, which uses elastomeric stamps and moulds for printing patterns, was developed to overcome the complex, time consuming and expensive nature of photolithography. However the moulds and stamps are still produced by photolithography, thereby partially introducing some of the drawbacks of traditional photolithography. Furthermore, because moulds and stamps are used, soft lithography is not suited for small volume production, which makes routine R&D expensive and rigid.

 

Enter inkjet printing, which requires no clean room, complex or time consuming process. It is a drop on demand printing process, eliminating material wastage. Sensitive materials can also be printed, for example living cells for biosensors and tissue engineering. Just like printing a document on a conventional office printer from your desktop, printing one or two films, patterns and devices costs next to nothing. All it takes is an ink/solvent containing the active material of interest. No restriction is placed on your creativity in the form of developing a new mould or process for trying out that new, crazy idea in your head.   

 

Inkjet printing is especially suitable for large area and roll-to-roll production, where its precision and flexibility in installation and use come handy. Thus the transition from the lab bench to a scaled up prototype or industrial production is not out of reach.

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