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 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 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 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: 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 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 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 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 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.