Abstract: A method of filling a microcavity with layers of a polymer material includes the following steps: (A) estimating a current vertical position of a bottom of the microcavity (current bottom position); (B) lowering the capillary tube into the microcavity towards the current bottom position; (C) dispensing a polymer composition from a tube outlet of the capillary tube under a dispensing applied pressure until the polymer composition substantially fills the microcavity; (D) curing a work piece including the microcavity and the polymer composition in the microcavity to obtain a current layer of the polymer material; and (E) repeatedly executing steps (A), (B), (C), and (D), until the layers of the polymer material have substantially filled the microcavity.

Abstract: A method of forming an elongate electrical connection feature that traverses at least one step on or in a substrate is disclosed. A metallic nanoparticle composition is extruded from a capillary tube while the capillary tube is displaced relative to the substrate. The method includes: (1) continuously extruding the composition from the capillary tube while displacing the capillary tube by a height increment during a displacement period; (2) continuously extruding the composition from the capillary tube while the capillary tube is stationary during a stationary period; and (3) repeatedly executing (1) and (2) until the capillary tube is displaced from a position at a step bottom portion to another position at a height not lower than a step top portion.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a numerical model is disclosed. The numerical model correlates estimated line width values to minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) values. An MPGBG value of each capillary tube in the reference group is measured for a liquid. A nanoparticle composition is deposited, under standard conditions, on substrate(s) from each respective reference capillary tube, to form nanoparticle lines. A line width of each of the nanoparticle lines deposited using each respective reference capillary tube is measured by a microscope apparatus. A numerical model that correlates estimated line width values to MPGBG values for the liquid is calculated.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a numerical model is disclosed. The numerical model correlates estimated capillary tube output diameter values to minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) values. An MPGBG value of each capillary tube in the reference group is measured for a liquid. An output diameter of each of the capillary tubes is measured by a microscope apparatus. A numerical model that correlates estimated capillary tube output diameter values to MPGBG values for the liquid is calculated. A method of estimating an output diameter of a capillary tube includes the following steps. An MPGBG value of the capillary tube for a liquid is measured, and the measured MPGBG value is input into the numerical model to estimate the capillary tube output diameter value.

Abstract: Fluid printing apparatus including substrate, print head, pneumatic system, and print head positioning system. The print head ejects fluid in a continuous stream with a micro-structural fluid ejector consisting of output, elongate input, and tapering portions between the output and elongate input portions. The output portion consists of an exit orifice of an inner diameter ranging between 0.1 ?m and 5 ?m and an end face having a surface roughness of less than 0.1 ?m. The print head is positioned above the substrate with the output portion of the micro-structural fluid ejector pointing downward. During printing, the print head positioning system maintains a vertical distance between the end face and the printable surface of the substrate within a range of 0 ?m to 5 ?m, and the pneumatic system applies pressure to the fluid in the micro-structural fluid ejector in the range of ?50,000 Pa to 1,000,000 Pa.

Abstract: Method of printing fluid on a printable surface of a substrate. A print head ejects fluid in a continuous stream. The print head that includes a micro-structural fluid ejector, which consists of output, elongate input, and tapering portions between the output and the elongate input portions. The output consists of an exit orifice of an inner diameter ranging between 0.1 ?m and 5 ?m and an end face having a surface roughness of less than 0.1 ?m. The print head is positioned above the substrate with the output of the micro-structural fluid ejector pointing downward. During printing, the print head positioning system maintains a vertical distance between the end face and the printable surface of the substrate within a range of 0 ?m to 5 ?m, and the pneumatic system applies pressure to the fluid in the micro-structural fluid ejector in the range of ?50,000 Pa to 1,000,000 Pa.

Abstract: A method of filling a microcavity with layers of a polymer material includes the following steps: (A) estimating a current vertical position of a bottom of the microcavity (current bottom position); (B) lowering the capillary tube into the microcavity towards the current bottom position; (C) dispensing a polymer composition from a tube outlet of the capillary tube under a dispensing applied pressure until the polymer composition substantially fills the microcavity; (D) curing a work piece including the microcavity and the polymer composition in the microcavity to obtain a current layer of the polymer material; and (E) repeatedly executing steps (A), (B), (C), and (D), until the layers of the polymer material have substantially filled the microcavity.

Abstract: A method of forming a structure upon a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a substrate upon a surface of which a plurality of electrically conductive pads are disposed; depositing fluid containing a dispersion of electrically polarizable nanoparticles onto the substrate such that at least a portion of a first one of the plurality of pads is in contact with the fluid; applying an alternating electric field to the fluid using a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being positioned so as to provide an effective first electrode end position from which the electric field is applied, coincident with the deposited fluid, and spaced apart from the first pad by a distance, and the second electrode being in contact with the first pad, such that a plurality of the nanoparticles are assembled to form a first elongate structure extending along at least part of the distance between the effective first electrode end position and the portion of the first pad.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrically conductive feature traversing a microscopic step on or in a substrate is disclosed. A metallic nanoparticle composition is continuously extruded from a capillary tube (nozzle) while displacing the capillary tube along a first portion of a trajectory from a first position (above a step-top portion) past an edge of the microscopic step to a second position to form a first extrudate. The composition is continuously extruded while displacing the nozzle along a sloped second portion of the trajectory from the second position to a third position (above a step-bottom portion) to form a second extrudate. The third position is at a lower height than the second position. The composition is continuously extruded while displacing the nozzle along a third portion of the trajectory from the third position to a fourth position (above the step-bottom portion). The feature includes the first, second, and third extrudates.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a metallic nanoparticle composition along a trajectory on a substrate is disclosed. The composition is dispensed from a nozzle through its outlet. The outlet is characterized by an outlet size. First, an initial pressure is applied to the composition in the nozzle to cause the composition to flow from the outlet. The nozzle is positioned at a height such that the composition does not flow onto the substrate. Second, the nozzle is lowered toward the substrate such that a fluid bridge forms between the outlet and the substrate and an adjusted pressure is applied to the composition in the nozzle. The adjusted pressure is lower than needed for the composition to continue to flow from the outlet. Third, the fluid is dispensed from the nozzle. A dispensing pressure is applied to the fluid while the nozzle is laterally displaced along the trajectory on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for modifying an elongate structure including providing a fluid deposited onto the substrate, the fluid containing a dispersion of electrically polarizable nanoparticles and applying an AC voltage across a portion of the elongate structure so as to cause an alternating electric current to pass through the narrow section such that a break in the elongate structure is formed at the narrow section, the break being defined between a first broken end and a second broken end of the elongate structure, and then cause, when the break is formed, an alternating electric field to be applied to the fluid such that a plurality of the nanoparticles contained in the fluid are assembled to form a continuation of the elongate structure extending from the first broken end towards the second broken end so as to join the first and second broken ends.

Abstract: An additive method of forming a metallic nanoparticle microdot on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes: (A) estimating or obtaining a position of an outlet of a capillary tube at zero height above the substrate (zero-height position); (B) extruding a metallic nanoparticle composition from the outlet at a first height h1 above the zero-height position, including forming a fluid bridge between the outlet and the substrate; (C) optionally lifting the capillary tube relative to the substrate by a height increment of Dh while continuing to extrude the metallic nanoparticle composition from the outlet; and (D) rapidly lifting the capillary tube to separate the outlet from the fluid bridge.

Abstract: Method of printing fluid on a printable surface of a substrate. A print head ejects fluid in a continuous stream. The print head that includes a micro-structural fluid ejector, which consists of output, elongate input, and tapering portions between the output and the elongate input portions. The output consists of an exit orifice of an inner diameter ranging between 0.1 ?m and 5 ?m and an end face having a surface roughness of less than 0.1 ?m. The print head is positioned above the substrate with the output of the micro-structural fluid ejector pointing downward. During printing, the print head positioning system maintains a vertical distance between the end face and the printable surface of the substrate within a range of 0 ?m to 5 ?m, and the pneumatic system applies pressure to the fluid in the micro-structural fluid ejector in the range of ?50,000 Pa to 1,000,000 Pa.

Abstract: Fluid printing apparatus including substrate, print head, pneumatic system, and print head positioning system. The print head ejects fluid in a continuous stream with a micro-structural fluid ejector consisting of output, elongate input, and tapering portions between the output and elongate input portions. The output portion consists of an exit orifice of an inner diameter ranging between 0.1 ?m and 5 ?m and an end face having a surface roughness of less than 0.1 ?m. The print head is positioned above the substrate with the output portion of the micro-structural fluid ejector pointing downward. During printing, the print head positioning system maintains a vertical distance between the end face and the printable surface of the substrate within a range of 0 ?m to 5 ?m, and the pneumatic system applies pressure to the fluid in the micro-structural fluid ejector in the range of ?50,000 Pa to 1,000,000 Pa.

Abstract: A method of forming an elongate electrical connection feature that traverses at least one step on or in a substrate is disclosed. A metallic nanoparticle composition is extruded from a capillary tube while the capillary tube is displaced relative to the substrate. The method includes: (1) continuously extruding the composition from the capillary tube while displacing the capillary tube by a height increment during a displacement period; (2) continuously extruding the composition from the capillary tube while the capillary tube is stationary during a stationary period; and (3) repeatedly executing (1) and (2) until the capillary tube is displaced from a position at a step bottom portion to another position at a height not lower than a step top portion.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a numerical model is disclosed. The numerical model correlates estimated line width values to minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) values. An MPGBG value of each capillary tube in the reference group is measured for a liquid. A nanoparticle composition is deposited, under standard conditions, on substrate(s) from each respective reference capillary tube, to form nanoparticle lines. A line width of each of the nanoparticle lines deposited using each respective reference capillary tube is measured by a microscope apparatus. A numerical model that correlates estimated line width values to MPGBG values for the liquid is calculated.

Abstract: A method of forming a structure upon a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a substrate upon a surface of which a plurality of electrically conductive pads are disposed; depositing fluid containing a dispersion of electrically polarizable nanoparticles onto the substrate such that at least a portion of a first one of the plurality of pads is in contact with the fluid; applying an alternating electric field to the fluid using a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being positioned so as to provide an effective first electrode end position from which the electric field is applied, coincident with the deposited fluid, and spaced apart from the first pad by a distance, and the second electrode being in contact with the first pad, such that a plurality of the nanoparticles are assembled to form a first elongate structure extending along at least part of the distance between the effective first electrode end position and the portion of the first pad.

Abstract: A method of measuring a minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) value of a capillary tube is disclosed. The capillary tube has an inlet and an output portion including an outlet. The inlet is connected to a regulated pneumatic system, configured to supply a gas to the inlet under pressure. The output portion is immersed in a liquid. The gas is supplied to the inlet under a range of pressures including a higher pressure range and a lower pressure range. In the higher pressure range, gas bubbles are generated in the liquid from the outlet. In the lower pressure range, no gas bubbles are generated in the liquid from the outlet. A value of the minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) for the liquid is determined. Other methods include a method of measuring and storing MPGBG values of capillary tubes, methods of selecting at least one capillary tube from a plurality of capillary tubes, and a method of cutting a capillary tube to a desired MPGBG value.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a numerical model is disclosed. The numerical model correlates estimated capillary tube output diameter values to minimum pressure for gas bubble generation (MPGBG) values. An MPGBG value of each capillary tube in the reference group is measured for a liquid. An output diameter of each of the capillary tubes is measured by a microscope apparatus. A numerical model that correlates estimated capillary tube output diameter values to MPGBG values for the liquid is calculated. A method of estimating an output diameter of a capillary tube includes the following steps. An MPGBG value of the capillary tube for a liquid is measured, and the measured MPGBG value is input into the numerical model to estimate the capillary tube output diameter value.

Abstract: A method for modifying an elongate structure including providing a fluid deposited onto the substrate, the fluid containing a dispersion of electrically polarizable nanoparticles and applying an AC voltage across a portion of the elongate structure so as to cause an alternating electric current to pass through the narrow section such that a break in the elongate structure is formed at the narrow section, the break being defined between a first broken end and a second broken end of the elongate structure, and then cause, when the break is formed, an alternating electric field to be applied to the fluid such that a plurality of the nanoparticles contained in the fluid are assembled to form a continuation of the elongate structure extending from the first broken end towards the second broken end so as to join the first and second broken ends.