Neil Chilton | Printed Electronics Limited: What are the fundamental limitations preventing wider adoption of inkjet printing for conductive inks?
00:08:51 - 00:09:02
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Summary of the clip:
What are the fundamental limitations preventing wider adoption of inkjet printing for conductive inks?
The speaker addresses the reasons why inkjet printing has not achieved the widespread adoption initially anticipated within the printed electronics sector. A primary limitation lies in the composition of inkjet inks, which typically consist of a high percentage of solvent. This high solvent content, often around 95% by volume or 40% by weight, is necessary to achieve the low viscosity required for inkjet dispensing.
The need to evaporate the solvent after printing presents several challenges. The evaporation process can lead to undesirable effects on the printed material, potentially compromising its properties or dimensional accuracy. Furthermore, the low solids loading of inkjet inks, combined with the solvent evaporation, results in thin layers that may not meet the conductivity or thickness requirements of certain electronic applications.
The speaker contrasts this with graphics or UV-curable inks, where the solvent content is less of a concern. However, for conductive metal-based inks, the high solvent content and low solids loading pose significant obstacles to achieving high-performance printed electronics. This limitation motivates the exploration of alternative additive technologies capable of handling high viscosity inks with higher solids loading.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The high solvent content of inkjet inks.
* The challenges associated with solvent evaporation.
* The limitations of inkjet printing for conductive metal-based inks.
š **Clip Abstract** The speaker explains the fundamental limitations of inkjet printing for conductive inks, focusing on the high solvent content and low solids loading required for the process. The challenges associated with solvent evaporation and the resulting thin layers are highlighted as key factors hindering wider adoption.
š Link in comments š
#InkjetPrinting, #ConductiveInks, #SolventEvaporation, #LowSolidsLoading, #PrintedElectronics, #SemiconductorManufacturing
This is a highlight of the presentation:
Drop-on-Demand Printing of Highly Viscous Inks
More Highlights from the same talk.
00:03:58 - 00:04:22
Why is screen printing still so dominant despite the promise of inkjet?
Why is screen printing still so dominant despite the promise of inkjet?
The speaker introduces the core focus of the presentation: the rationale behind employing jet deposition systems for highly viscous inks. This is framed against the backdrop of the company's initial ambition to utilize inkjet printing for all applications, a goal that has since been modified. The shift towards focusing on highly viscous materials necessitates the use of alternative printing methods, primarily screen printing.
The emphasis on high viscosity stems from the desire to work with materials that exhibit specific properties, such as high conductivity and high solids loading, which are often difficult to achieve with conventional inkjet inks. The presentation will delve into the reasons why screen printing remains a dominant technique for these materials, while also exploring the potential of jet deposition systems to address the limitations of both inkjet and screen printing. The speaker sets the stage for a discussion on the trade-offs between different printing methods and the specific advantages of jet deposition for certain applications.
The speaker's company, Printed Electronics Limited, has a long history in the field, starting about 20 years ago. They are based in the Midlands and Cambridge in the UK. They focus on highly viscous print materials, hence screen printing being a large part of their business.
In this short video, you can learn:
* Why screen printing is still dominant.
* The limitations of inkjet printing.
* The focus on highly viscous materials.
š **Clip Abstract** The speaker introduces the presentation's focus on jet deposition systems for highly viscous inks, contrasting it with the initial goal of using inkjet printing exclusively. The shift towards screen printing for high-viscosity materials is highlighted, setting the stage for a discussion on the advantages of jet deposition.
š Link in comments š
#ScreenPrinting, #InkjetPrinting, #JetDeposition, #ViscousInks, #PrintedElectronics, #MaterialDeposition
00:06:57 - 00:07:16
What material properties make screen printing so effective for printed electronics?
What material properties make screen printing so effective for printed electronics?
The speaker highlights the continued prevalence of screen printing within the printed electronics industry. Despite initial expectations surrounding inkjet technology, screen printing remains a widely adopted method due to its ability to handle high viscosity, highly conductive, and highly loaded metal-based inks. This capability is crucial for achieving desired performance characteristics in various electronic applications.
The ability to deposit thick layers of highly conductive materials in a single pass is a key advantage of screen printing. This contrasts with inkjet printing, which typically requires multiple passes to achieve comparable layer thicknesses, potentially increasing processing time and complexity. The speaker emphasizes the speed and productivity of screen printing, particularly in applications such as photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing.
The PV industry's ability to print 20-micron lines for front-side electrodes using screen printing exemplifies the technique's precision and efficiency. The speaker underscores the versatility of screen printing, noting its compatibility with stretchable materials and its ability to create thick deposits that can withstand deformation. This makes it suitable for applications requiring flexibility and durability.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The advantages of screen printing for high viscosity inks.
* The speed and productivity of screen printing.
* The versatility of screen printing with stretchable materials.
š **Clip Abstract** The speaker explains why screen printing remains a dominant technique in printed electronics, emphasizing its ability to handle high viscosity, highly conductive inks and achieve fine line dimensions. The speed, productivity, and versatility of screen printing, particularly in applications like PV cell manufacturing, are highlighted.
š Link in comments š
#ScreenPrinting, #HighViscosityInks, #ConductiveInks, #ThickFilmDeposition, #Photovoltaics, #FlexibleElectronics