Abstract: A method of making an ejector device. The method includes providing a substrate and forming one or more ejector conduits on the substrate. The one or more ejector conduits comprise: a first end configured to accept a print material; a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode pair that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the ejector nozzle and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the ejector nozzle; and at least one passageway for allowing the print material to flow from the first end to the second end. A method of printing a three-dimensional object and a method for jetting print material from a printer jetting mechanism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an ejector device. The method includes providing a substrate and forming one or more ejector conduits on the substrate. The one or more ejector conduits comprise: a first end configured to accept a print material; a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode pair that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the ejector nozzle and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the ejector nozzle; and at least one passageway for allowing the print material to flow from the first end to the second end. A method of printing a three-dimensional object and a method for jetting print material from a printer jetting mechanism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes an ejector device for mixing and ejecting print material. The ejector device includes a substrate and a plurality of ejector conduits on the substrate. The ejector conduits are arranged in an array. Each ejector conduit includes a first passageway fluidly connecting a first end of the ejector conduit to a conduit junction. The first end is configured to accept a first print material. Each ejector conduit also includes a second passageway fluidly connecting a second end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction. The second end is configured to accept a second print material. Each ejector conduit also includes a third passageway fluidly connecting a third end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction. The third end includes an ejector nozzle. The ejector nozzle includes a first electrode and a second electrode.

Abstract: System and method that allow utilize machine learning algorithms to move a micro-object to a desired position are described. A sensor such as a high speed camera or capacitive sensing, tracks the locations of the objects. A dynamic potential energy landscape for manipulating objects is generated by controlling each of the electrodes in an array of electrodes. One or more computing devices are used to: estimate an initial position of a micro-object using the sensor; generate a continuous representation of a dynamic model for movement of the micro-object due to electrode potentials generated by at least some of the electrodes and use automatic differentiation and Gauss quadrature rules on the dynamic model to derive optimum potentials to be generated by the electrodes to move the micro-object to the desired position; and map the calculated optimized electrode potentials to the array to activate the electrodes.

Abstract: Control loop latency can be accounted for in predicting positions of micro-objects being moved by using a hybrid model that includes both at least one physics-based model and machine-learning models. The models are combined using gradient boosting, with a model created during at least one of the stages being fitted based on residuals calculated during a previous stage based on comparison to training data. The loss function for each stage is selected based on the model being created. The hybrid model is evaluated with data extrapolated and interpolated from the training data to prevent overfitting and ensure the hybrid model has sufficient predictive ability. By including both physics-based and machine-learning models, the hybrid model can account for both deterministic and stochastic components involved in the movement of the micro-objects, thus increasing the accuracy and throughput of the micro-assembly.

Abstract: The system and method described allow for real-time control over positioning of a micro-object. A movement of at least one micro-object suspended in a medium can be induced by a generation of one or more forces by electrodes proximate to the micro-object. Prior to inducing the movement, a simulation is used to develop a model describing a parameter of an interaction between each of the electrodes and the micro-object. A function describing the forces generated by an electrode and an extent of the movement induced due to the forces is generated using the model. The function is used to design closed loop policy control scheme for moving the micro-object towards a desired position. The position of the micro-object is tracked and taken into account when generating voltage patterns in the scheme.

Abstract: Control loop latency can be accounted for in predicting positions of micro-objects being moved by using a hybrid model that includes both at least one physics-based model and machine-learning models. The models are combined using gradient boosting, with a model created during at least one of the stages being fitted based on residuals calculated during a previous stage based on comparison to training data. The loss function for each stage is selected based on the model being created. The hybrid model is evaluated with data extrapolated and interpolated from the training data to prevent overfitting and ensure the hybrid model has sufficient predictive ability. By including both physics-based and machine-learning models, the hybrid model can account for both deterministic and stochastic components involved in the movement of the micro-objects, thus increasing the accuracy and throughput of the micro-assembly.

Abstract: The system and method described allow for real-time control over positioning of a micro-object. A movement of at least one micro-object suspended in a medium can be induced by a generation of one or more forces by electrodes proximate to the micro-object. Prior to inducing the movement, a simulation is used to develop a model describing a parameter of an interaction between each of the electrodes and the micro-object. A function describing the forces generated by an electrode and an extent of the movement induced due to the forces is generated using the model. The function is used to design closed loop policy control scheme for moving the micro-object towards a desired position. The position of the micro-object is tracked and taken into account when generating voltage patterns in the scheme.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes an ejector device comprising a substrate and a plurality of ejector conduits on the substrate, the ejector conduits being arranged in an array. Each ejector conduit includes: a first end positioned to accept a print material, a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, and a passageway for allowing the print material to flow from the first end to the second end, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the passageway and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the passageway. A current pulse generating system is in electrical connection with the first electrode and the second electrode of the plurality of ejector conduits. A magnetic field source is sufficiently proximate the second end of the plurality of ejector conduits so as to generate a flux region disposed within the ejector nozzle of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer.

Abstract: A method of making an ejector device. The method includes providing a substrate and forming one or more ejector conduits on the substrate. The one or more ejector conduits comprise: a first end configured to accept a print material; a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode pair that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the ejector nozzle and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the ejector nozzle; and at least one passageway for allowing the print material to flow from the first end to the second end. A method of printing a three-dimensional object and a method for jetting print material from a printer jetting mechanism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes an ejector device for mixing and ejecting print material, the ejector device comprising a substrate and a plurality of ejector conduits on the substrate. The ejector conduits are arranged in an array, each ejector conduit comprising: a first passageway fluidly connecting a first end of the ejector conduit to a conduit junction, the first end configured to accept a first print material; a second passageway fluidly connecting a second end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction, the second end configured to accept a second print material; and a third passageway fluidly connecting a third end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction. The third end comprises an ejector nozzle, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the third passageway and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the third passageway.

Abstract: Control loop latency can be accounted for in predicting positions of micro-objects being moved by using a hybrid model that includes both at least one physics-based model and machine-learning models. The models are combined using gradient boosting, with a model created during at least one of the stages being fitted based on residuals calculated during a previous stage based on comparison to training data. The loss function for each stage is selected based on the model being created. The hybrid model is evaluated with data extrapolated and interpolated from the training data to prevent overfitting and ensure the hybrid model has sufficient predictive ability. By including both physics-based and machine-learning models, the hybrid model can account for both deterministic and stochastic components involved in the movement of the micro-objects, thus increasing the accuracy and throughput of the micro-assembly.

Abstract: System and method that allow utilize machine learning algorithms to move a micro-object to a desired position are described. A sensor such as a high speed camera or capacitive sensing, tracks the locations of the objects. A dynamic potential energy landscape for manipulating objects is generated by controlling each of the electrodes in an array of electrodes. One or more computing devices are used to: estimate an initial position of a micro-object using the sensor; generate a continuous representation of a dynamic model for movement of the micro-object due to electrode potentials generated by at least some of the electrodes and use automatic differentiation and Gauss quadrature rules on the dynamic model to derive optimum potentials to be generated by the electrodes to move the micro-object to the desired position; and map the calculated optimized electrode potentials to the array to activate the electrodes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an intermediate transfer surface includes depositing an array of etch stops on a conductive surface, etching the conductive surface to form mesas of the conductive surface separated by gaps, and coating the mesas with a dielectric coating. A method of performing microassembly includes forming an assembly of particles on an assembly plane, providing an intermediate transfer surface having an array of electrodes, applying a bias to the intermediate transfer surface to form an electrostatic field between the assembly plane and the intermediate transfer surface, and moving the intermediate transfer surface towards the assembly surface until the electrostatic field strength is strong enough to cause transfer of the assembly to the intermediate transfer surface.

Abstract: The system and method described allow for real-time control over positioning of a micro-object. A movement of at least one micro-object suspended in a medium can be induced by a generation of one or more forces by electrodes proximate to the micro-object. Prior to inducing the movement, a simulation is used to develop a model describing a parameter of an interaction between each of the electrodes and the micro-object. A function describing the forces generated by an electrode and an extent of the movement induced due to the forces is generated using the model. The function is used to design closed loop policy control scheme for moving the micro-object towards a desired position. The position of the micro-object is tracked and taken into account when generating voltage patterns in the scheme.

Abstract: The system and method described allow for real-time control over positioning of a micro-object. A movement of at least one micro-object suspended in a medium can be induced by a generation of one or more forces by electrodes proximate to the micro-object. Prior to inducing the movement, a simulation is used to develop a model describing a parameter of an interaction between each of the electrodes and the micro-object. A function describing the forces generated by an electrode and an extent of the movement induced due to the forces is generated using the model. The function is used to design closed loop policy control scheme for moving the micro-object towards a desired position. The position of the micro-object is tracked and taken into account when generating control signals in the scheme.

Abstract: The system and method described allow for real-time control over positioning of a micro-object. A movement of at least one micro-object suspended in a medium can be induced by a generation of one or more forces by electrodes proximate to the micro-object. Prior to inducing the movement, a simulation is used to develop a model describing a parameter of an interaction between each of the electrodes and the micro-object. A function describing the forces generated by an electrode and an extent of the movement induced due to the forces is generated using the model. The function is used to design closed loop policy control scheme for moving the micro-object towards a desired position. The position of the micro-object is tracked and taken into account when generating control signals in the scheme.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an intermediate transfer surface includes depositing an array of etch stops on a conductive surface, etching the conductive surface to form mesas of the conductive surface separated by gaps, and coating the mesas with a dielectric coating. A method of performing microassembly includes forming an assembly of particles on an assembly plane, providing an intermediate transfer surface having an array of electrodes, applying a bias to the intermediate transfer surface to form an electrostatic field between the assembly plane and the intermediate transfer surface, and moving the intermediate transfer surface towards the assembly surface until the electrostatic field strength is strong enough to cause transfer of the assembly to the intermediate transfer surface.

Abstract: The system and method described below allow for real-time control over positioning of a micro-object. A movement of at least one micro-object suspended in a medium can be induced by a generation of one or more forces by electrodes proximate to the micro-object. Prior to inducing the movement, a simulation is used to develop a model describing a parameter of an interaction between each of the electrodes and the micro-object. A function describing the forces generated by an electrode and an extent of the movement induced due to the forces is generated using the model. The function is used to design closed loop policy control scheme for moving the micro-object towards a desired position. The position of the micro-object is tracked and taken into account when generating control signals in the scheme.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer surface includes a substrate, a two-dimensional array of electrodes, a dielectric spacer layer on the two-dimensional array of electrodes, and a voltage controller electrically connected to the array of electrodes. A method of manufacturing an intermediate transfer surface, depositing an array of etch stops on a conductive surface, etching the conductive surface to form mesas of the conductive surface separated by gaps, and coating the mesas with a dielectric coating. A microassembly system includes an assembly surface having a first two dimensional array of potential wells on a first surface, a first voltage source electrically connected to the first array of potential wells, an intermediate transfer surface having a second two dimensional array of potential wells on a second surface arranged to face the first surface, and a second voltage source electrically connected to the second array of potential wells.