Abstract: A method for printing traces on a substrate and an additive manufacturing apparatus therefor are provided. The method comprises determining at least two first location points for a first trace and at least two second location points for a second trace. The first trace and the second trace traverse at least two surfaces of the substrate, including a first surface of the substrate and a second surface of the substrate. At least two third location points are determined for a third trace based on the at least two first location points and the at least two second location points. The third trace is intermediate the first trace and the second trace. The third trace is formed on the at least two surfaces based on the at least two third location points.

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 decreasing a sheet resistance of a transparent conductor is disclosed. The method includes the following: forming a first transparent conductor layer on a substrate; dispensing a metallic nanoparticle composition on the first transparent conductor layer to form metallic nanoparticle features; and sintering at least the first transparent conductor layer and the metallic nanoparticle features. The first transparent conductor layer includes a crystalline metal oxide. The aperture ratio of the transparent conductor is in a range of 90% to 99%. A multilayer transparent conductor and a method of forming a multilayer transparent conductor are also disclosed.

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 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: 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 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: 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 decreasing a sheet resistance of a transparent conductor is disclosed. The method includes the following: forming a first transparent conductor layer on a substrate; dispensing a metallic nanoparticle composition on the first transparent conductor layer to form metallic nanoparticle features; and sintering at least the first transparent conductor layer and the metallic nanoparticle features. The first transparent conductor layer includes a crystalline metal oxide. The aperture ratio of the transparent conductor is in a range of 90% to 99%. A multilayer transparent conductor and a method of forming a multilayer transparent conductor are also disclosed.

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: 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.