Invention:
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed Restricted Area Printing by Ink Drawing (RAPID), a novel confined-volume printing technique for solution-processed thin films. This method utilizes confined plates to apply external stimuli, such as temperature and electric fields, allowing for precise control over the crystallization process during film formation. As a result, RAPID improves film quality and enhances scalability for electronics manufacturing.
Background:
Traditional printing techniques for solution- processed electronics, such as slot-die coating and doctor blading, offer limited control over key processing parameters. These methods often lack the ability to precisely adjust factors such as nucleation rates, which directly influence the quality of the resulting thin films. In contrast, the RAPID technique provides enhanced tunability by controlling parameters like print speed, which affects the formation and growth of nuclei before solvent evaporation. This improved control offers the potential for significantly optimizing thin film production in electronic applications.
Applications:
- Thin-film electronics
- Solar cells and other photovoltaic devices
- Energy storage devices
Advantages:
- Enhanced control over nucleation and crystallization processes during printing
- Improved scalability for manufacturing
- Large-scale manufacturing (roll-to-roll manufacturing)
