Generating an aggregated three-dimensional structure on a substrate, comprises providing a solution with particles, and ejecting the solution through a nozzle opening on a dry substrate

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This patent describes a method and device for creating aggregated three-dimensional structures, such as tiny ball-like units, on a substrate by ejecting a particle-containing solution through the nozzle of an inkjet printer. The process creates a cloud of very small droplets that dry quickly, allowing the particles to form structured assemblies directly on the substrate.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Fabrication of micro- and nano-scale structures on surfaces for use in electronics, sensors, or optical devices
• Manufacturing of 3D microarrays for biological assays and diagnostics
• Precise deposition of material for advanced printing applications, such as custom coatings or material patterning
• Development of photonic or plasmonic devices that rely on structured particles
• Formation of catalysts or functional patches for chemical and industrial applications

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables precise and controlled formation of three-dimensional micro- and nano-structures
• Utilizes accessible inkjet printing technology for advanced material deposition
• Reduces necessity for complex lithography or mold-based processes
• Supports rapid drying and assembly due to evaporation during droplet flight, improving efficiency
• Applicable to a wide range of particle types (e.g., polystyrene, silica) and substrate materials

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The method comprises providing (70) a solution with particles, and ejecting (72) the solution through a nozzle opening on a dry substrate such that a droplet cloud is generated and comprises droplets that are smaller than the nozzle opening. The nozzle opening is a nozzle opening of an electrically actuated ink jet printer, and has an approximate diameter, which is greater than 20 times of an approximate diameter of the particles of the solution. The step of ejecting comprises applying a signal shape, which is designed such that the droplet cloud is ejected instead of a single drop. The method comprises providing (70) a solution with particles, and ejecting (72) the solution through a nozzle opening on a dry substrate such that a droplet cloud is generated and comprises droplets that are smaller than the nozzle opening. The nozzle opening is a nozzle opening of an electrically actuated ink jet printer, and has an approximate diameter, which is greater than 20 times of an approximate diameter of the particles of the solution. The step of ejecting comprises applying a signal shape, which is designed such that the droplet cloud is ejected instead of a single drop. A percentage of the particles in the solution is less than 10%. The particles have an approximate diameter of greater than 100-1500 nm. The step of ejecting is performed: such that the droplet cloud comprises individual drops per single ejection process; so that the droplets of the droplet cloud have a diameter, which is smaller than one fifth of the diameter of the nozzle opening; and such that the droplets of the droplet cloud are dimensioned so that a liquid fraction evaporates in essence during the flight of the droplets so that each of the droplets of the three dimensional structure is formed to the substrate during the flight of the nozzle opening. The three-dimensional structure is a ball unit composed of the particles. The solution is an aqueous solution or the particles are polystyrene microspheres and/or silica microspheres. The ink jet printer is used in a single drop mode, and is a piezoelectric or thermal ink jet printer. A distance between the substrate and the nozzle opening is 0.7-4 mm. An independent claim is included for a device of generating an aggregated three-dimensional structure on a substrate.