Abstract: A process for the production of metal nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are formed by combining a metal compound with a solution that comprises a polyol and a substance that is capable of being adsorbed on the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are precipitated by adding a nanoparticle-precipitating liquid in a sufficient amount to precipitate at least a substantial portion of the nanoparticles and of a protic solvent in a sufficient amount to improve the separation of the nanoparticles from the liquid phase.

Abstract: Precursor compositions for the fabrication of electronic features such as resistors and capacitors. The precursor compositions are formulated to have a low conversion temperature, such as not greater than about 350° C., thereby enabling the fabrication of such electronic features on a variety of substrates, including organic substrates such as polymer substrates.

Abstract: A method of forming an ink, the ink configured to form a conductive densified film is disclosed. The method includes providing a set of Group IV semiconductor particles, wherein each Group IV semiconductor particle of the set of Group IV semiconductor particles includes a particle surface with a first exposed particle surface area. The method also includes reacting the set of Group IV semiconductor particles to a set of bulky capping agent molecules resulting in a second exposed particle surface area, wherein the second exposed particle surface area is less than the first exposed particle surface area. The method further includes dispersing the set of Group IV semiconductor particles in a vehicle, wherein the ink is formed.

Abstract: Precursor compositions for the deposition of electronic features such as resistors and dielectric components and methods for the deposition of the precursor compositions. The precursor compositions have a low viscosity, such as not greater than about 1000 centipoise and can be deposited using a direct-write tool. The precursors also have a low conversion temperature, enabling the formation of electronic features on a wide variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus for producing a set of Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles from a precursor gas is disclosed. The apparatus includes an outer dielectric tube, the outer tube including an outer tube inner surface and an outer tube outer surface, wherein the outer tube inner surface has an outer tube inner surface etching rate. The apparatus also includes an inner dielectric tube, the inner dielectric tube including an inner tube outer surface, wherein the outer tube inner surface and the inner tube outer surface define an annular channel, and further wherein the inner tube outer surface has an inner tube outer surface etching rate. The apparatus further includes a first outer electrode, the first outer electrode having a first outer electrode inner surface disposed on the outer tube outer surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiofrequency plasma apparatus for the production of nanoparticles and method for producing nanoparticles using the apparatus. The apparatus is designed to provide high throughput and makes the continuous production of bulk quantities of high-quality crystalline nanoparticles possible. The electrode assembly of the plasma apparatus includes an outer electrode and a central electrode arranged in a concentric relationship to define an annular flow channel between the electrodes.

Abstract: A set of nanoparticles is disclosed. Each nanoparticle of the set of nanoparticles is comprised of a set of Group IV atoms arranged in a substantially spherical configuration. Each nanoparticle of the set of nanoparticles further having a sphericity of between about 1.0 and about 2.0; a diameter of between about 4 nm and about 100 nm; and a sintering temperature less than a melting temperature of the set of Group IV atoms.

Abstract: A precursor composition for the deposition and formation of an electrical feature such as a conductive feature. The precursor composition advantageously has a low viscosity enabling deposition using direct-write tools. The precursor composition also has a low conversion temperature, enabling the deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on low temperature substrates. A particularly preferred precursor composition includes silver metal for the formation of highly conductive silver features.

Abstract: A precursor composition for the deposition and formation of an electrical feature such as a conductive feature. The precursor composition advantageously has a low viscosity enabling deposition using direct-write tools. The precursor composition also has a low conversion temperature, enabling the deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on low temperature substrates. A particularly preferred precursor composition includes silver metal for the formation of highly conductive silver features.

Abstract: A precursor composition for the deposition and formation of an electrical feature such as a conductive feature. The precursor composition advantageously has a low viscosity enabling deposition using direct-write tools. The precursor composition also has a low conversion temperature, enabling the deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on low temperature substrates. A particularly preferred precursor composition includes silver metal for the formation of highly conductive silver features.

Abstract: Processes for the production of metal nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process comprising the steps of mixing a heated first solution comprising a base and/or a reducing agent (e.g., a non-polyol reducing agent), a polyol, and a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a second solution comprising a metal precursor that is capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol. In another aspect, the invention is to a process that includes the steps of heating a powder of a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone; forming a first solution comprising the powder and a polyol; and mixing the first solution with a second solution comprising a metal precursor capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol.

Abstract: Processes for controlling ink migration during the formation of printable electronic features. In a preferred aspect, the invention is to a process for forming at least a portion of an electronic feature. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a first substrate having a first surface; (b) modifying the first surface to form a modified surface; and (c) applying an ink to at least a portion of the modified surface, wherein the modified surface interacts with the ink to inhibit lateral and/or longitudinal migration of the applied ink, and wherein the applied ink forms at least a portion of the electronic feature. In another aspect, the invention is to a process for encouraging electronic ink spreading with a surfactant.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of making multi-phase particles that include nanoparticulates and matrix, which maintains the nanoparticulates in a dispersed state. A flowing gas dispersion is generated that includes droplets of a precursor medium dispersed in a gas phase. The precursor medium contains liquid vehicle and at least a first precursor to a first material and a second precursor to a second material. The multi-phase particles are formed from the gas dispersion by removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets of precursor medium. The nanoparticulates in the multi-phase particles include the first material and the matrix in the multi-phase particles includes the second material.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for ink-jet printing a solderable conductive pad onto a substrate. The system comprises at least one print head and a curing station for curing an ink deposited onto the substrate. The system is configured to: deposit at least a first layer of a first ink onto the substrate; cure the first layer of the first ink; deposit at least an intermediate layer of a second ink on top of the cured first layer of the first ink; cure the intermediate layer of the second ink; deposit at least a last layer of the first ink on top of the cured intermediate layer of the second ink; and cure the last layer of the first ink. The first ink has a relatively high conductivity. The second ink has a relatively low conductivity. The first layer, the intermediate layer, and the last layer may be arranged such that when solder is applied to the last layer, the solder is prevented from leaching through to the first layer.

Abstract: A precursor composition for the deposition and formation of an electrical feature such as a conductive feature. The precursor composition advantageously has a low viscosity enabling deposition using direct-write tools. The precursor composition also has a low conversion temperature, enabling the deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on low temperature substrates. A particularly preferred precursor composition includes silver metal for the formation of highly conductive silver features.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for manufacturing electrical and optical materials by ink-jet printing of electronic ink(s) onto a flexible substrate are provided. The apparatus includes a flexible substrate, a first roll and a second roll, a printing head for depositing a electronic ink onto the substrate according to a predetermined pattern, and a drying station for drying an amount of deposited electronic ink. Each roll is reversibly configured for feed or takeup of the substrate. When dry, the deposited electronic ink forms one of an electronic material, an optical material, a display, and a fuel cell electrode. The apparatus may also include a second printing head configured for depositing a second electronic ink onto the substrate after the first ink has dried. The apparatus may be configured to rewind the substrate prior to deposition of the second ink, or to reverse the feed/takeup direction of the rolls.

Abstract: Processes for forming photovoltaic features and in particular photovoltaic conductive features. In one aspect, the process comprises printing a primer material onto a substrate; etching the substrate with the primer material to form an etched substrate; printing a precursor composition onto the etched substrate, wherein the precursor composition comprises at least one of metallic nanoparticles comprising a metal or a metal precursor compound to the metal; and heating the precursor composition to form the photovoltaic feature on the substrate.

Abstract: A precursor composition for the deposition and formation of an electrical feature such as a conductive feature. The precursor composition advantageously has a low viscosity enabling deposition using direct-write tools. The precursor composition also has a low conversion temperature, enabling the deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on low temperature substrates. A particularly preferred precursor composition includes silver metal for the formation of highly conductive silver features.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of making multi-phase particles that include nanoparticulates and matrix, which maintains the nanoparticulates in a dispersed state. A flowing gas dispersion is generated that includes droplets of a precursor medium dispersed in a gas phase. The precursor medium contains liquid vehicle and at least a first precursor to a first material and a second precursor to a second material. The multi-phase particles are formed from the gas dispersion by removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets of precursor medium. The nanoparticulates in the multi-phase particles include the first material and the matrix in the multi-phase particles includes the second material.

Abstract: Precursor compositions in the form of a tape that can be transferred to a substrate and converted to an electronic feature at a relatively low temperature, such as not greater than about 200° C. The tape composition can be disposed on a carrier to form a ribbon structure that is flexible and can be handled in a variety of industrial processes.