Drop Impact Printing

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel drop-on-demand printing method using a sieve instead of a nozzle, enabling high particle loading and printing of larger particles with low surface tension and high viscosity, offering a simple and economical alternative to traditional inkjet printing.

Contribution

The paper presents a new printing technique based on droplet ejection through a sieve, overcoming nozzle clogging issues and allowing high particle loading and larger particle printing.

Findings

Achieved 71% mass-loading with nanoparticle suspension.

Successfully printed 20 micrometer particles in 80 micrometer droplets.

Operated effectively with low surface tension and high viscosity fluids.

Abstract

Hydrodynamic collapse of a central air-cavity during the recoil phase of droplet impact on a superhydrophobic sieve leads to satellite-free generation of a single droplet through the sieve. Two modes of cavity formation and droplet ejection was observed and explained. The volume of the generated droplet scales with the pore size. Based on this phenomenon, we propose a new drop-on-demand printing technique. Despite significant advancements in inkjet technology, enhancement in mass-loading and particle-size have been limited due to clogging of the printhead nozzle. By replacing the nozzle with a sieve, we demonstrate printing of nanoparticle suspension with 71% mass-loading. Comparatively large particles of 20 micrometer diameter were dispensed in droplets of 80 micrometer diameter. Printing was performed for surface tension as low as 32 mNm-1 and viscosity as high as 33 mPa-s. In comparison to existing techniques, this new way of printing is widely accessible as it is significantly simple and economical.