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: 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 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 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: 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 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 forming a feature by dispensing a metallic nanoparticle composition from an ink-jet print head is disclosed. A jetting waveform is applied to piezoelectric actuator to dispense droplets of the metallic nanoparticle composition through nozzle opening. The droplets range in volume between 0.5 picoliter and 2.0 picoliter. The jetting waveform includes an intermediate contraction waveform portion, a final contraction waveform portion after the intermediate contraction waveform portion, and an expansion waveform portion after the final contraction waveform portion. During the intermediate contraction waveform portion, an applied voltage increases from an initial low voltage to an intermediate voltage and then is held at the intermediate voltage. During the final contraction waveform portion, the applied voltage increases from the intermediate voltage to maximum voltage and then is held at the maximum voltage.

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: A method of forming a feature by dispensing a metallic nanoparticle composition from an ink-jet print head is disclosed. A jetting waveform is applied to piezoelectric actuator to dispense droplets of the metallic nanoparticle composition through nozzle opening. The droplets range in volume between 0.5 picoliter and 2.0 picoliter. The jetting waveform includes an intermediate contraction waveform portion, a final contraction waveform portion after the intermediate contraction waveform portion, and an expansion waveform portion after the final contraction waveform portion. During the intermediate contraction waveform portion, an applied voltage increases from an initial low voltage to an intermediate voltage and then is held at the intermediate voltage. During the final contraction waveform portion, the applied voltage increases from the intermediate voltage to maximum voltage and then is held at the maximum voltage.

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 extruding a nanoparticle composition onto a substrate is disclosed. A nanoparticle composition dispenser includes a capillary tube. The capillary tube is oriented such that a first longitudinal axis extending through the capillary tube is tilted at an oblique angle relative to a vertical axis. The capillary tube is positioned above the substrate such that the capillary tube and its reflection from the substrate are visible within a field-of-view of a camera. Digital images of the capillary tube and its reflection are captured and processed to detect the first longitudinal axis extending through the capillary tube and a second longitudinal axis extending through the reflection. A point of intersection of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis is calculated to estimate a zero-height position. The capillary tube is positioned at a start position in accordance with the zero-height position.

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 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.