Session 10: Direct Write & 3D Printing II

Printed Electronics Using Magnetohydrodynamic Droplet Jetting of Molten Aluminum and Copper
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) droplet jetting is a new digital printing technology capable of producing solid copper or aluminum conductive electronic traces and 3D objects. The process uses extremely inexpensive metal wire as the incoming feedstock material rather than inks. Each jetted molten metal droplet partially overlaps with previously deposited material and solidifies to produce fully dense conductive metal traces whose electrical conductivities approach those of the bulk material. The process is therefore particularly well suited for high current applications. This talk will first present an overview of how the MHD process works. Next, practical considerations with respect to electrical conductivity, density, substrate compatibility, adhesion, flexural performance, and other metrics will be discussed. Lastly, the talk will look forward to applications involving fabrication of highly conductive printed electronics on non-planar surfaces.