Abstract: A metallic nanoparticle composition includes metallic nanoparticles and a non-aqueous polar protic solvent. The non-aqueous polar protic solvent has two hydroxyl groups, a boiling point of at least 280° C. at 760 mm Hg, and a viscosity in a range of 45 cP to 65 cP at 20° C. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is present on the metallic nanoparticle surfaces. A concentration of metals in the metallic nanoparticle composition is in a range of 60 wt% to 90 wt% and a concentration, in aggregate, of solvents having a boiling point of less than 280° C. at 760 mm Hg in the metallic nanoparticle composition does not exceed 3 wt%.

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: Devices, systems, and methods related to a transparent conductive film are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of forming a transparent conductive member (e.g., a transparent conductive film) includes extruding a metallic nanoparticle composition from a capillary tube onto a temporary substrate to form an extrudate. The extrudate can include metallic nanoparticle lines. The method further includes sintering the extrudate and the temporary substrate, dispensing a photocurable polymer onto the temporary substrate, and laminating a second substrate to the photocurable polymer. The photocurable polymer and the extrudate are interposed between the temporary substrate and the second substrate. The method further includes curing the photocurable polymer to form a transparent polymer layer and separating the temporary substrate from the transparent layer to form the transparent conductive member.

Abstract: A metallic nanoparticle composition includes copper nanoparticles, a first non-aqueous polar protic solvent (boiling point in a range of 180° C. to 250° C. and viscosity in a range of 10 cP to 100 cP at 25° C.), and a second non-aqueous polar protic solvent (boiling point in a range of 280° C. to 300° C. and a viscosity of at least 100 cP at 25° C.). The concentration of copper nanoparticles in the composition is in a range of 32 wt % to 55 wt %, and the concentration of the second non-aqueous polar protic solvent in the composition is in a range of 4 wt % to 10 wt %. There is polyvinylpyrrolidone present on the copper nanoparticles surfaces. The composition's viscosity is at least 250 cP at 25° C.

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: In various aspects, a method of detecting surface irregularities on or in an internal surface of a cylinder for use in a piston-cylinder assembly is disclosed. The method can include (A) fixing a position of and an orientation of a first one of the cylinder and a piston; (B) configuring a positioner and a dynamometer to move a dynamometer and a second one of the cylinder and the piston along a common longitudinal axis, the dynamometer being mechanically coupled to the second one; (C) moving the second one relative to the first one along the common longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, the piston being located inside the cylinder at the first position and at the second position; and (D) measuring, by the dynamometer, a frictional force between the piston and the cylinder during the movement.

Abstract: A composition for forming a contiguous conductive feature on a substrate includes silver nanoparticles, a titanium precursor compound, a first non-aqueous polar protic solvent, and a second non-aqueous polar protic solvent. The concentration of the titanium precursor compound in the composition is in a range of 2 vol % to 13 vol %. A method of forming a contiguous conductive feature on a substrate includes dispensing the composition on the substrate to form a contiguous precursor feature and sintering the contiguous precursor feature at a sintering temperature in a range of 300° C. to 500° C. to form the contiguous conductive feature. Example titanium precursor compounds are: titanium(IV) butoxide, titanium(IV) isopropoxide, titanium(IV) chloride, tetrakis(diethylamido)titanium(IV), and dimethyltitanocene.

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 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 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 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: Methods are disclosed relating to the operation of a micro-structural fluid ejector in a fluid printing apparatus. The methods include providing an imaging system, capturing a digital image of the micro-structural fluid ejector and its surroundings, and pre-processing the digital image to detect edges. A method of detecting contact of a micro-structural fluid ejector to a substrate includes repeatedly lowering the print head and measuring the length of a detected edge until the currently measured length is determined to be longer than a previously measured length.

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 conductive ink composition includes metallic nanoparticles, a first non-aqueous polar protic solvent, and a second non-aqueous polar protic solvent. The metallic nanoparticles can be silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles can have an average particle size in a range of 20 nm to 80 nm. Polyvinylpyrrolidone is present on the metallic nanoparticle surfaces. The first solvent has a boiling point of at least 110° C. and a viscosity of at least 10 cP at 25° C. The second solvent has a boiling point of at least 200° C. and a viscosity of at least 100 cP at 25° C. The conductive ink composition contains the metallic nanoparticles in a range of 10 wt %to 75 wt %. The concentration of the second solvent in the conductive ink composition is 11.0% by volume or greater.

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 metallic nanoparticle composition dispenser includes a piston-cylinder assembly and a capillary tube. The piston-cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a pneumatic port at first end of the cylinder, an outlet port at a second end of the cylinder opposite the first end, and a piston movable in the cylinder between the first end and the second end. The capillary tube has a tube inlet and a tube outlet, with the tube inlet being coupled to the outlet port of the cylinder. A metallic nanoparticle composition is contained in the cylinder. The metallic nanoparticle composition dispenser is configured such that the metallic nanoparticle composition is extruded by the piston through the capillary tube under pneumatic actuation by a regulated pneumatic system coupled to the pneumatic port.