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A comprehensive design methodology for the realization of ultra‐wideband and highly miniaturized capacitively loaded Marchand baluns (MBs), suitable for integration into balanced antenna systems is presented. A design technique to maximize the fractional bandwidth (FBW) for a given manufacturing process is demonstrated for the first time. Furthermore, a novel MB integration scheme using broadside‐coupled lines and 3D vertically integrated capacitors in a two‐material inkjet printing process is uniquely proposed. The concept has been experimentally validated within the S and C bands. It exhibits a footprint of 0.128 × 0.098 λg2, centre frequency of 4.4 GHz, and FBW of 121%. Its power loss, phase imbalance and amplitude imbalance were measured between 0.8 and 2.2 dB, 3 ± 2°, and 0.4 ± 0.4 dB, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-contact dispenser printing is a novel, high-precision, template-free, and inexpensive film-forming technique. The quality of printed films is mostly determined by the physicochemical characteristics of the ink, which also have a big effect on the performance of microelectronic devices. In this work, high-performance gas-sensitive ink was made with ZnO-SnO2 composite gas-sensitive materials as functional phases and ethylene glycol and glycerol as solvents, employing PEG400 as dispersion in place of conventional high molecular weight dispersants. ZnO-SnO2 composite gas-sensitive films were printed on micro-electromechanical system ( MEMS) micro-hotplates using non-contact dispenser method. The effects of PEG400 content and solid content on the physical and chemical properties of ink were discussed by measuring the viscosity, and suspension stability of the ink. The microscopic morphology of the film was observed by SEM. The results show that the composite gas-sensitive ink possesses printability and low-temperature sintering film-forming properties when the solid content is 15% (mass fraction, the same here in after) and the PEG400 content is 6%, and the prepared composite gas-sensitive film is uniform in thickness, with a smooth surface, regular edges, and a good response to acetone gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inherent brittleness of ceramics poses significant challenges in the fabrication of hollow ceramic fibers, severely constraining their practical applications. In this study, a novel method for creating three-dimensional hollow fiber ceramic structures using UV-assisted single-channel direct ink writing was demonstrated. A concentric single-channel nozzle featuring shell/core structure was devised through the coaxial embedding method, and this specially designed nozzle was manufactured using digital light processing technology. During the UV-assisted direct ink writing process, the photosensitive ceramic slurry can be rapidly cured in place under the irradiation of UV light, ensuring high fidelity of the printed components. The hollow fiber structure produced in this study has a circular, pentagram, triangular and quadrilateral inner core, which can be adjusted according to the designed nozzle structure. This approach facilitates a straightforward and expedited creation of scaffolds featuring small-diameter hollow fiber structures, broadening the scope of potential applications for direct ink writing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel methodology to obtain 3D printable BiVO 4 precursor scaffolds (3DM-BiVO 4) via robocasting, showing excellent periodicity, shape retention, and mechanical stability, is disclosed for the first time. The ceramic pastes (solids at 70 wt.-%) comprised of BiVO 4 precursor, SiO 2 NPs, and a solution of deionized water: ethylene glycol (volume ratio 1:2, DI water: EG) exhibited enhanced rheology for the 3D printing of self-supported structures (3DM-BiVO 4). The thermal treatment induced a monoclinic scheelite phase, and the ethylene glycol contributed to achieving a unique square flake-like particle morphology. 3DM-BiVO 4 scaffolds were used as reusable monolithic photocatalysts, showing 72% acetaminophen mineralization at 240 min and pH = 9. This innovative approach opens avenues for designing 3D printable ceramic pastes, offering potential applications in tailoring-made monolithic photocatalyst fabrication by using SiO 2 NPs as an inorganic binder. [Display omitted] • 3D printable BiVO4 pastes by DIW using SiO2NP as a ceramic binder and DI water:ethylene glycol as solvents. • 3DM-BiVO4 scaffolds with periodicity, excellent shape retention, mechanical stability, and self-supporting were achieved. • Ethylene glycol promotes morphologies of square flake-like particles comprised of small peanut-like BiVO4 particles. • 3DM-BiVO4 exhibited good photocatalytic activity for acetaminophen mineralization. • 3DM-BiVO4 photocatalyst can be easily recovered and reused several times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a gate insulator poly (4-vinylphenol) (PVP) of an organic field effect transistor (OFET) was deposited using an inkjet printing technique, realized via a high printing resolution. Various parameters, including the molecular weight of PVP, printing direction, printing voltage, and drop frequency, were investigated to optimize OFET performance. Consequently, PVP with a smaller molecular weight of 11 k and a printing direction parallel to the channel, a printing voltage of 18 V, and a drop frequency of 10 kHz showed the best OFET performance. With a direct ink writing-printed organic semiconductor, this work paves the way for fully inkjet-printed OFETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of direct ink writing technology, combined with in-situ grown whiskers, has facilitated the development of 3D-printed ceramic catalyst supports-aluminum borate porous ceramics (ABPCs) with hierarchical pore structures. The optimal slurry consists of 0.2 wt% polycarboxylate, 19 wt% water addition, and 1.2 wt% sodium alginate. The most effective printing parameters are determined to be a 1.0 mm nozzle diameter, 10 mm/s printing speed, 4.0 kPa air pressure, and 0.4 mm layer height. After sintering at 1100 ℃, pure-phase aluminum borate (Al 18 B 4 O 33) ceramics are achieved, leading to the formation of needle-like aluminum borate whiskers. The aspect ratio of whiskers, flexural strength, BET-specific surface area, and photocatalytic activity of ABPCs increase initially and then decrease with increasing sintering temperature. The ABPCs coated with a titanium oxide layer display a photocatalytic degradation rate of 83.92% for methyl orange solution. These results underscore the immense potential of ABPCs in high-temperature catalyst support applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

10.1119/5.0133767.1 Timescales spanning 24 orders of magnitude smaller than one second can be studied experimentally, and each range is packed with different physical phenomena. This rich range of timescales offers a great context for an innovative undergraduate physics course which introduces modern physics and technology from an unconventional perspective. Based on the author's experience in lecturing on these topics to different audiences, this paper proposes a syllabus of a semester-long timescale-based undergraduate physics course. Editor's Note: Did you know that state-of-the-art experiments could measure timescales down to a few rontoseconds (such things do actually exist and correspond to 10 − 27 s)? In the spirit of Physics for Future Presidents, this paper uses the theme of fast timescales to build a semester-long syllabus to introduce undergraduate science majors to various physics concepts, ranging from condensed matter to particle physics, and to examples of commonly used technology (ink-jet printing, ultrasound imaging, high-speed cameras, etc.). Such a course could also be used for outreach, and it emphasizes the use of dimensional analysis and orders of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the levitation and residing at particular places of human breast cancer (T47D) cells on a magnetic microsystem quickly fabricated by printing. The microsystem consists of arrays of soft magnetic elements and is put adjacent to a bulk magnet. Under a magnetic field generated by the magnet, elements are magnetized, obtaining a significant magnetic field strength and a high magnetic field gradient in the micro-space above them. The field applies a magnetic force on the cells as they are dropped to the surfaces of the elements. As a result, levitation and a stable position for each cell are observed. The levitation and position of a cell can be predicted by a theory that takes into account the magnetic, buoyant, and gravitational forces on the cells. Our theoretical and experimental results agree well with one another, and the microsystem is capable of efficient cell manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Braille is a universal tactile writing system for the blind and visually impaired. Braille can be printed in several ways, including embossing, screen, or UV ink-jet printing. In this study, we propose to use three-dimensional, 3D, printing technology to print dots of the Braille alphabet. The 3D model was designed with CAD software and then overprinted with Fused Deposition Modelling, FDM, technology with polylactide filament. Then, the quality of braille dots was assessed according to the standard for Braille. The estimated height (0.5 mm) and diameter (1.3 mm) for Braille dot were not achieved for the designed model. The measured values of the Braille dots were 0.38 ± 0.03 mm and 1.0 ± 0.07 mm for the height and diameter, respectively. The dot quality was assessed with an optical microscope. The distribution and location of the Braille can be acceptable, but the reproduction of dot shape, curvature, and dimensions is not compatible with the standard for Braille dots. Despite that, Braille is readable, and FDM can be a cheap solution to develop customized and unique plates with Braille imitating conventional Braille dots embossed in cardboard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ink-jet-printed silk, a premium textile material, was achieved by utilizing a bio-based gardenia blue dye. However, the sharpness of the printing pattern is difficult to control due to the limited water-retention capacity of silk. To address this issue, three polysaccharide derivatives, namely, sodium alginate (SA), low-viscosity hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC-I), and high-viscosity hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC-II), were employed as thickeners to modify the silk by the dipping–padding method. Firstly, the preparation of the gardenia blue ink and the rheology assessment of the thickener solution were conducted. Furthermore, the impacts of different thickeners on the micro-morphology, element composition, and hydrophilicity of the silk, along with the wetting behavior of the ink on the silk, were analyzed comparatively in order to identify an appropriate thickener for preserving pattern outlines. Lastly, the color features, color fastness, and wearing characteristics of the printed silk were discussed to evaluate the overall printing quality. Research results showed that the optimized ink formulation, comprising 12% gardenia blue, 21% alcohols, and 5.5% surfactant, met the requirements for ink-jet printing (with a viscosity of 4.48 mPa·s, a surface tension of 34.12 mN/m, and a particle size of 153 nm). The HPMC-II solution exhibited prominent shear-thinning behavior, high elasticity, and thixotropy, facilitating the achievement of an even modification effect. The treatment of the silk with HPMC-II resulted in the most notable decrease in hydrophilicity. This can be attributed to the presence of filled gaps and a dense film on the fibers' surface after the HPMC-II treatment, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the HPMC-II treatment introduced the highest content of hydrophobic groups on the fiber surface. The reduced hydrophilicity inhibited the excessive diffusion and penetration of gardenia blue ink, contributing to a distinct printing image and enhanced apparent color depth. Moreover, the printed silk demonstrated qualified color fastness to rubbing and soaping (exceeding grade four), a soft handle feeling, an ignorable strength loss (below 5%), and a favorable air/moisture penetrability. In general, the surface modification with the HPMC-II treatment has been proven as an effective strategy for upgrading the image quality of bio-based dye-printed silk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver-based metal–organic decomposition inks composed of silver salts, complexing agents and volatile solvents are now the subject of much research due to the simplicity and variability of their preparation, their high stability and their relatively low sintering temperature. The use of this type of ink in inkjet printing allows for improved cost-effective and environmentally friendly technology for the production of electrical devices, including flexible electronics. An approach to producing a silver salt-based reactive ink for jet printing has been developed. The test images were printed with an inkjet printer onto polyimide substrates, and two-stage thermal sintering was carried out at temperatures of 60 °C and 100–180 °C. The structure and electrical properties of the obtained conductive lines were investigated. As a result, under optimal conditions an electrically conductive film with low surface resistance of approximately 3 Ω/square can be formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have meticulously refined both the quantum dot (QD) materials, particularly the blue variants, and the ink formulations to achieve aesthetically pleasing, high‐performance printing devices. Furthermore, in anticipation of future mass production challenges, we have tailored the quantum dot ligands and adopted surface passivation of zinc oxide nanoparticles, leveraging their inherent material properties. This innovation has culminated in remarkable enhancements for inkjet QLED device in long‐term storage stability and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flexible printed OLED TV display technology will be able to create new application market, such as rollable/foldable TV, in the future. It's TV Mobiles. Since the TCL (TCL CSOT, Guangdong Juhua Printed Display Technology Co. Ltd. & TCL Corporate Research) has successfully demonstrated the 31" FHD flexible printed OLED TV, there are a lot of technology breakthroughs for improving the panel performance and cost reduction. The co‐planar top gate Oxide TFT device architecture, printing OLED top emission device architecture with new OLED materials, MURA free ink jet printing technology with unique bank design, advanced encapsulation technology with new inorganic material for panel performance improvement are developed. Especially innovative mechanical release technology without using laser lift off technology is developed for cost reduction and production yield up in flexible printed OLED TV MP line. Based on these technology breakthroughs, 31" 4K flexible printed OLED TV with high resolution(142ppi) are fabricated. The performance of 31" flexible printed OLED TV is, 4K high resolution (3840x2160, 142ppi), luminance: FW 150nits, excellent C/R; > 1M:1, color gamut: DCI‐P3: >99%, wide viewing angle (Δu'v' < 0.02): ≥ +/‐ 45°, A/R: 47.75%, and curvature radius: 20mm In this paper, the panel performance of 31" 4K high resolution flexible printed OLED TV and the latest technology breakthroughs are discussed in details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical and electronic tunability of the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has enabled emerging applications as diverse as bioelectronics, flexible electronics, and micro- and nano-photonics. High-resolution spatial patterning of PEDOT:PSS opens up opportunities for novel active devices in a range of fields. However, typical lithographic processes require tedious indirect patterning and dry etch processes, while solution-processing methods such as ink-jet printing have limited spatial resolution. Here, we report a method for direct write nano-patterning of commercially available PEDOT:PSS through electron-beam induced solubility modulation. The written structures are water stable and maintain the conductivity as well as electrochemical and optical properties of PEDOT:PSS, highlighting the broad utility of our method. We demonstrate the potential of our strategy by preparing prototypical nano-wire structures with feature sizes down to 250 nm, an order of magnitude finer than previously reported direct write methods, opening the possibility of writing chip-scale microelectronic and optical devices. We finally use the high-resolution writing capabilities to fabricate electrically-switchable optical diffraction gratings. We show active switching in this archetypal system with >95 % contrast at CMOS-compatible voltages of +2 V and −3 V, offering a route towards highly-miniaturized dynamic optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are uniquely suited for highly anisotropic thermal transport, which is important in thermoelectrics, thermal barrier coatings, and heat spreaders. Solution-processed 2D materials are attractive for simple, low-cost, and large-scale fabrication of devices on, virtually, any substrate. However, to date, there are only few reports with contrasting results on the thermal conductivity of graphene films, while thermal transport has been hardly measured for other types of solution-processed 2D material films. In this work, inkjet-printed graphene, h-BN and MoS2 films are demonstrated with thermal conductivities of ∼10 Wm-1K-1 and ∼0.3 Wm-1K-1 along and across the basal plane, respectively, giving rise to an anisotropy of ∼30, hardly dependent on the material type and annealing treatment. First-principles calculations indicate that portion of the phonon spectrum is cut-off by the quality of the thermal contact for transport along the plane, yet the ultra-low conductivity across the plane is associated with high-transmissivity interfaces. These findings can drive the design of highly anisotropic 2D material films for heat management applications.

Cu complex inks are composed of Cu salts as metal precursors and complexing agents that effectively reduce the decomposition temperature of the Cu salts. The thermal decomposition of the complexed Cu salt provides the metal for the in situ formation of nanoparticles. Using Cu formate tetrahydrate as a metal precursor, the effect of the complexing agent, i.e. amino-2-propanol and hexylamine, its molar ratio compared to the Cu salt, the predrying and sintering parameters such as temperature and ramp rate, and additional organic solvents are investigated to understand the influence on the morphology of the in situ generated Cu nanoparticles. The additional solvents are used to adjust the viscosity for ink-jet printing and to control the formation of the nanoparticles. A pre-drying step with a slow ramp rate (5 °C min−1) is required before the sintering process to effectively control the evaporation of organics. However, the slow pre-drying process leads to the growth of in situ generated particles into the microscale range (2–5 μm). Adding polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG600) is observed to suppress the growth of nanoparticles and realize an ink-jet printable formulation, which is achieved even with low Cu content (<8 wt%) and dense and homogeneous traces with a bulk resistivity of 20.48 μΩ cm when sintered in a conventional oven for 5 min at 250 °C under a N2 atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The material extrusion 3d printing technique has proved to be reliable and low cost for obtaining metal parts. Therefore, in the present work, its suitability for obtaining pieces of a material composed of iron/iron oxide from an industrial waste was studied. Once the powder was obtained by chemical partial reduction, filaments were manufactured with a polymer matrix of TPE/PP/SA in a polymer–powder proportion of 13–87 wt.%. The influence of temperature and printing speed on the geometry of the printed and sintered parts, as well as on their mechanical and microstructural properties, was evaluated. The results showed that the printing speed had a significant impact on the print geometry of the parts, while the printing temperature had no effect. During thermal debinding and sintering, an additional chemical reduction due to the production of reducing agents during the decomposition of the polymer matrix was observed. This shows that the selection of the polymer matrix affects the microstructure of the sintered parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling the wetting and spreading of microdroplets is key to technologies such as microfluidics, ink‐jet printing, and surface coating. Contact angle goniometry is commonly used to characterize surface wetting by droplets, but the technique is ill‐suited for high contact angles close to 180° $180^\circ $. Here, we attach a micrometric‐sized droplet to an atomic force microscope cantilever to directly quantify droplet–solid friction on different surfaces (superhydrophobic and underwater superoleophobic) with sub‐nanonewton force resolutions. We demonstrate the versatility of our approach by performing friction measurements using different liquids (water and oil droplets) and under different ambient environments (in air and underwater). Finally, we show that underwater superoleophobic surfaces can be qualitatively different from superhydrophobic surfaces: droplet–solid friction is highly sensitive to droplet speeds for the former but not for the latter surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The versatility of nanofibres enables them to be used for various technological applications such as filtration, biomedicine and healthcare, composites, protective and functional textiles. Recently, in addition to the functional properties of electrospun nanofibrous mats, their aesthetic properties have been explored. Herein, attempts have been made to develop digital ink‐jet printing of regenerated cellulose nanofibrous mats with reactive inks. First, a cellulose acetate polymer was created to fabricate electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibrous mats, which were then converted into regenerated cellulose nanofibrous mats through deacetylation. Next, the cellulose nanofibrous mats were treated with an alkaline solution then coloured with four (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) commercially available reactive inks by a digital ink‐jet printing method using a piezoelectric digital ink‐jet printer. Various parameters were investigated, including the optimal concentration of the pretreatment agents, fixation temperature and time, colour yield and the absorbency of the electrospun nanofibrous mats. The digital ink‐jet printed cellulose nanofibrous mats exhibited excellent colour yield and colour fastness properties. Morphological analysis through scanning electron microscopy and chemical analysis through Fourier Transform–infrared were also carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐performance thin film transistors with a remarkable mobility of 38.7 cm2/Vs and excellent stability are demonstrated using amorphous indium zinc oxide (IZO)/indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) bilayer film as the active layer. The optimal performance of the bilayer device is found to be contingent upon the critical balance of oxygen flow ratio during sputtering IZO film. The mechanism governing the oxygen‐tuned performance has been thoroughly investigated. A 31‐inch ink‐jet printed AMOLED display panel has been successfully fabricated, with the GOA circuit integrated using this high mobility transistors. The good display performance showcases the significant application potential of the IZO/IGZO bilayer device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium films hold signicance due to their remarkable affinity for hydrogen diffusion, rendering them valauble for the seperation and purification of hydrogen in membrane reactors. However, palladium is expensive, and its films can become brittle after only a few cycles of hydrogen separation. Alloying with silver has been shown to overcome the problem of palladium embrittlement. Palladium‐silver films have been produced via several methods but all have drawbacks, such as difficulties controlling the alloy composition. This study explores two promising jet printing methods: Inkjet and Aerosoljet. Both methods offer potential advantages such as direct patterning, which reduces waste, enables thin film production, and allows for the control of alloy composition. For the first time, palladium‐silver alloys have been produced via inkjet printing using a palladium‐silver metal organic decomposition (MOD) ink, which alloys at a temperature of 300 °C with nitrogen. Similarly, this study also demonstrates a pioneering approach for Aerosol Jet printing, showing the potential of a novel room‐temperature method, for the deposition of palladium‐silver MOD inks. This low temperature approach is considered an important development as palladium‐silver MOD inks are originally designed for deposition on heated substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the use of X-ray computed tomography and X-ray fluorescence in the analysis and expert research of the seventeenth century printed book "Eukhologīon albo Molitoslov, ili Trebnik" from Kiev. The main purpose of the survey was to confirm whether the book binding is original or whether it is a rebinding, and whether there are any fragments of the hidden older texts. Commonly used radiography is usually not able to provide sufficient information for these purposes. On the other hand, computed tomography allows a detailed and three-dimensional documentation of the bookbinding technology and the structure of the materials used, including the wooden boards. It will be presented that all elements of the weave are clearly visible, making it possible to show that there are no internal defects in the stitching and materials. It has also been convincingly shown that there are no fragments or layers of older texts in the binding, so no further invasive intervention will be necessary regarding this aspect. The paper also demonstrates the possibility of reading the text in a closed book utilising X-ray computed tomography data; this option may be advantageous for massively damaged manuscripts. It will also be shown, that thanks to detailed tomographic imaging of the wood structure of the boards, a dendrochronological survey can be successfully carried out without invasive intervention into their outer layers. From the CT data it was also found that the pigments of the letters have significantly different densities. Therefore, as part of the survey, elemental analysis of the writing was also carried out using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to confirm and clarify this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the beginning of the 20th century, the eclectic artist Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo patented two innovative methods for polychrome printing on fabrics and textiles, giving life to Fortuny fabric production in Venice. The first patent was related to colour application, while the second to a special machine that allows continuous printing using cylindrical rollers. Despite the descriptions, the methodology and materials used remain a secret. In collaboration with the Fortuny Museum in Venice, this research aimed at studying and identifying the different steps of Fortuny printing methodologies. Printing matrices, fabrics and raw materials found in the artist's studio were analysed in a multi-analytical campaign through digital microscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), μ-Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Three main pigments were identified in paper samples: ivory black, a copper-based pigment, and a carbon black pigment with ultramarine for blues. The pigments were bound with linseed oil and colophony in varying proportions. Polychrome silk fabrics were dyed with a base colour, and then the coloured patterns were superimposed by continuous printing. Prussian blue was identified as one of the textile inks. Results provided a better understanding of printing methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the prediction of CMYK digital values and inversion of forward characterization models have been investigated using a genetic algorithm (GA). First, the forward characterization of the printer is performed and the optimum n-values in YNSN and spectral n-value models are obtained. The optimum n-values are used for the prediction of CMYK digital values, and the effective area coverages are obtained by GA. Then, the effective area coverages are converted in to CMYK digital values. The results show that the forward characterization of the printer by spectral n-value is better than others. Also, the best result of CMYK digital values prediction is obtained by GA using spectral n-value as the objective function. So, the quality of forward characterization model is one of the important factors in color matching by GA using inversion of the forward characterization models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravure printing is a promising large‐scale fabrication method for flexible organic solar cells (FOSCs) because it is compatible with two‐dimension patternable roll‐to‐roll fabrication. However, the unsuitable rheological property of ZnO nanoinks resulted in unevenness and looseness of the gravure‐printed ZnO interfacial layer. Here we propose a strategy to manipulate the macroscopic and microscopic of the gravure‐printed ZnO films through using mixed solvent and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) additive. The regulation of drying speed effectively manipulates the droplets fusion and leveling process and eliminates the printing ribbing structure in the macroscopic morphology. The additive of PVP effectively regulates the rheological property and improves the microscopic compactness of the films. Following this method, large‐area ZnO:PVP films (28 × 9 cm2) with excellent uniformity, compactness, conductivity, and bending durability were fabricated. The power conversion efficiencies of FOSCs with gravure‐printed AgNWs and ZnO:PVP films reached 14.34% and 17.07% for the 1 cm2 PM6:Y6 and PM6:L8‐BO flexible devices. The efficiency of 17.07% is the highest value to date for the 1 cm2 FOSCs. The use of mixed solvent and PVP addition also significantly enlarged the printing window of ZnO ink, ensuring high‐quality printed thin films with thicknesses varying from 30 to 100 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) based on colloidal quantum‐dots (QDs) such as CdSe, InP, and ZnSeTe feature a unique advantage of narrow emission linewidth of ≈20 nm, which can produce highly accurate colors, making them a highly promising technology for the realization of displays with Rec. 2020 color gamut. With the rapid development in the past decades, the performances of red and green QLEDs have been remarkably improved, and their efficiency and lifetime can almost meet industrial requirements. However, the industrialization of QLED displays still faces many challenges; for example, (1) the device mechanisms including the charge injection/transport/leakage, exciton quenching, and device degradation are still unclear, which fundamentally limit QLED performance improvement; (2) the blue performances including the efficiency, chromaticity, and stability are relatively low, which are still far from the requirements of practical applications; (3) the color patterning processes including the ink‐jet printing, transfer printing, and photolithography are still immature, which restrict the manufacturing of high resolution full‐color QLED displays. Here, the recent advancements attempting to address the above challenges of QLED displays are specifically reviewed. After a brief overview of QLED development history, device structure/principle, and performances, the main focus is to investigate the recent discoveries on device mechanisms with an emphasis on device degradation. Then recent progress is introduced in blue QLEDs and color patterning. Finally, the opportunities, challenges, solutions, and future research directions of QLED displays are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing of solvent-based inks or melts allows for the producing of polymeric fiber-based two- and three-dimensional structures with sub-micrometer features, with or without conductive nanoparticles or functional materials. While solvent-based inks possess great material versatility, the stability of the EHD jetting process using such inks remains a major challenge that must be overcome before this technology can be deployed beyond research laboratories. Herein, we study the parameters that affect the stability of the EHD jet printing of polyethylene oxide (PEO) patterns using solvent-based inks. To gain insights into the evolution of the printing process, we simultaneously monitor the drop size, the jet ejection point, and the jet speed, determined by superimposing a periodic electrostatic deflection. We observe printing instabilities to be associated with changes in drop size and composition and in the jet's ejection point and speed, which are related to the evaporation of the solvent and the resulting drying of the drop surface. Thus, stabilizing the printing process and, particularly, the drop size and its surface composition require minimizing or controlling the solvent evaporation rate from the drop surface by using appropriate solvents and by controlling the printing ambient. For stable printing and improved jet stability, it is essential to use polymers with a high molecular weight and select solvents that slow down the surface drying of the droplets. Additionally, adjusting the needle voltages is crucial to prevent instabilities in the jet ejection mode. Although this study primarily utilized PEO, the general trends observed are applicable to other polymers that exhibit similar interactions between solvent and polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robocasting is an extrusion-based additive manufacturing (AM) process widely used to produce porous structures. It enables to build three-dimensional (3D) ceramic parts, thanks to computer numerical control of the filament deposition path onto a fabrication substrate. Despite its high potential, robocasting is much less explored than other AM techniques for producing dense parts. This work focused on the robocasting of dense alumina parts by varying the filament deposition path of an environmentally friendly paste. Taguchi method was used to establish a correlation between the printing parameters and the microstructural and mechanical properties of the sintered parts. Closed pores located between adjacent filaments were found to dictate crack propagation mechanisms, depending on the infill pattern. The optimal printing strategy led to 93% dense alumina samples having a flexural strength of 140 MPa, a Young's modulus of 355 GPa and a Poisson's ratio of 0.23. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, three textile antennas with the same geometry were produced using three different technologies: magnetron sputtering (PVD), ink-jet printing and embroidery using electroconductive yarn. In all three cases, the electrically conductive medium was the same, which was silver, known for centuries for its very good conductive properties. In order to show how the method of manufacturing antennas affects their operational parameters, the following measurements were carried out: surface resistivity, impedance, standing wave coefficient of antenna radiators, and their radiation characteristics were assessed. The surface resistivity value of the antenna paths obtained ranged from 0.05 to 1.2 Ωm/m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch-based films are a valuable alternative to plastic materials that are based on fossil and petrochemical raw resources. In this study, corn and potato starch films with 50% glycerol as a plasticizer were developed, and the properties of films were confirmed by mechanical properties, surface free energy, surface roughness, and, finally, color and gloss analyses. Next, the films were overprinted using ink-jet printing with quick response (QR) codes, text, and pictograms. Finally, the print quality of the obtained prints was determined by optical density, color parameters, and the visual evaluation of prints. In general, corn films exhibit lower values of mechanical parameters (tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young Modulus) and water transition rate (11.1 mg·cm−2·h−1) than potato starch film (12.2 mg·cm−2·h−1), and water solubility is 18.7 ± 1.4 and 20.3 ± 1.2% for corn and potato film, respectively. The results obtained for print quality on starch-based films were very promising. The overprinted QR codes were quickly readable by a smartphone. The sharpness and the quality of the lettering are worse on potato film. At the same time, higher optical densities were measured on potato starch films. The results of this study show the strong potential of using starch films as a modern printing substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen is necessary for plants to grow, but excess nitrogen fertilizer leads to pollution of soil and groundwater, so-called agricultural non-point source pollution. The development of a rapid and precise method for detecting soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3−-N) is urgently needed in order to provide guidance for fertilization. In this paper, an all-solid-state (ASS) nitrate ion-selective electrode (ISE) based on polyaniline (PANI) was fabricated. The PANI was synthesized using an all-solution method, which enables seamless integration with screen printing and ink-jet printing technologies for efficient large-scale production. The PANI-based sensor exhibited a linear response to NO3−-N ranging from 1 × 10−1–1 × 10–5 M, with a sensitivity of − 58.6 ± 5.2 mV/dec and a detection limit of 1.67 × 10– 6 M. The recovery rate for the detection of NO3−-N in real soil samples ranged from 96 to 104%. The PANI-based ASS-ISE also exhibits exceptional stability, reproducibility, selectivity, and remarkable pH tolerance within the range of 3.5– 10, making it well-suited for detecting various soil samples. Furthermore, the PANI-based sensors can be utilized for rapid detection of multiple elements in soil through substitution of diverse ion-selective membranes, thereby offering a more streamlined and efficient approach to environmental preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrates successful large area inkjet printing of a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material as the emitting layer of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). TADF materials enable efficient light emission without relying on heavy metals such as platinum or iridium. However, low-cost manufacturing of large-scale TADF OLEDs has been restricted due to their incompatibility with solution processing techniques. In this study, we develop ink formulation for a TADF material and show successful ink jet printing of intricate patterns over a large area (6400 mm2) without the use of any lithography. The stable ink is successfully achieved using a non-chlorinated binary solvent mixture for a solution processable TADF material, 3‐(9,9‐dimethylacridin‐10(9H)‐yl)‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one dispersed in 4,4'-bis-(N-carbazolyl)-1,1'-biphenyl host. Using this ink, large area ink jet printed OLEDs with performance comparable to the control spin coated OLEDs are successfully achieved. In this work, we also show the impact of ink viscosity, density, and surface tension on the droplet formation and film quality as well as its potential for large-area roll-to-roll printing on a flexible substrate. The results represent a major step towards the use of TADF materials for large-area OLEDs without employing any lithography. Low-cost manufacturing of large-scale thermally activated delayed fluorescence organic light-emitting diodes has been restricted due to their incompatibility with solution processing techniques. Here, authors develop inkjet printing ink formulation to fabricate patterns without use of lithography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Printing technology will improve the complexity and material waste of traditional deposition and lithography processes in device fabrication. In particular, the printing process can effectively control the functional layer stacking and channel shape in thin-film transistor (TFT) devices. We prepared the patterning indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) semiconductor layer with Ga, In, and Zn molar ratios of 1:2:7 on Si/SiO2 substrates. And the patterning source and drain electrodes were printed on the surface of semiconductor layers to construct a TFT device with the top contact and bottom gate structures. To overcome the problem of uniform distribution of applied voltages between electrode centers and edges, we investigated whether the circular arc channel could improve the carrier regulation ability under the field effect in printed TFTs compared with a traditional structure of rectangular symmetry and a rectangular groove channel. The drain current value of the IGZO TFT with a circular arc channel pattern was significantly enhanced compared to that of a TFT with rectangular symmetric source/drain electrodes under the corresponding drain–source voltage and gate voltage. The field effect properties of the device were obviously improved by introducing the arc-shaped channel structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ink-jet-printed silk, a premium textile material, was achieved by utilizing a bio-based gardenia blue dye. However, the sharpness of the printing pattern is difficult to control due to the limited water-retention capacity of silk. To address this issue, three polysaccharide derivatives, namely, sodium alginate (SA), low-viscosity hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC-I), and high-viscosity hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC-II), were employed as thickeners to modify the silk by the dipping–padding method. Firstly, the preparation of the gardenia blue ink and the rheology assessment of the thickener solution were conducted. Furthermore, the impacts of different thickeners on the micro-morphology, element composition, and hydrophilicity of the silk, along with the wetting behavior of the ink on the silk, were analyzed comparatively in order to identify an appropriate thickener for preserving pattern outlines. Lastly, the color features, color fastness, and wearing characteristics of the printed silk were discussed to evaluate the overall printing quality. Research results showed that the optimized ink formulation, comprising 12% gardenia blue, 21% alcohols, and 5.5% surfactant, met the requirements for ink-jet printing (with a viscosity of 4.48 mPa·s, a surface tension of 34.12 mN/m, and a particle size of 153 nm). The HPMC-II solution exhibited prominent shear-thinning behavior, high elasticity, and thixotropy, facilitating the achievement of an even modification effect. The treatment of the silk with HPMC-II resulted in the most notable decrease in hydrophilicity. This can be attributed to the presence of filled gaps and a dense film on the fibers’ surface after the HPMC-II treatment, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the HPMC-II treatment introduced the highest content of hydrophobic groups on the fiber surface. The reduced hydrophilicity inhibited the excessive diffusion and penetration of gardenia blue ink, contributing to a distinct printing image and enhanced apparent color depth. Moreover, the printed silk demonstrated qualified color fastness to rubbing and soaping (exceeding grade four), a soft handle feeling, an ignorable strength loss (below 5%), and a favorable air/moisture penetrability. In general, the surface modification with the HPMC-II treatment has been proven as an effective strategy for upgrading the image quality of bio-based dye-printed silk.

Graphene-based separation membranes exhibit high separation potential to separate ions and molecules by the interlayer spacing with high surface area, porosity and tunable nanosized channels. The large-scale manufacturing of graphene-based membranes for gas separation is limited and challenging. Deposition of uniform, and selective ultrathin films as membrane is a big challenge for scalable separation with existing methods. In present study, solvent-ink-jet printing technique is applied for dispersing and uniform coating of graphene layers onto the membrane support. Preparation of graphene-based ink is the core objective of the operation for evaluating stability, coating and followed by separation studies. As prepared, graphene ink is filled in the cartridge of HP Desk-Jet-1110 series, which is available and slightly modified for the printing on the RO-membrane as support. The prepared membranes are characterized and analyzed for gas separation performance study. The decrease in gas composition of CO2 in permeate is observed and around 93% ± 0.5 of CO2 is separated from the gaseous mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Molecular Science is the property of Journal of Molecular Science Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article describes the synthesis and application of lanthanide‐based luminophores for visualisation under short wavelength ultraviolet (UV) activation (typically 254 nm). Luminophores are chemical compounds which re‐emit light of longer wavelength than typical fluorescence and phosphorescence, following photoexcitation, because of efficient energy transfer from the ligands to the lanthanide ion emission levels. The luminophores described in this article are all derived from europium and terbium metal complexes and cover the complete colour gamut. Selection of appropriate ligands allows for water solubility or water insolubility (if required pigment or disperse "dye" applications). Similar to dyeing or printing processes, the anionic complexes can be applied to polyamide fibres or to cellulosic fibres, whereas dispersions of the non‐ionic complexes are suitable for polyester or cellulose acetate fibre application. The water‐soluble derivatives are also suitable for ink‐jet printing and the water‐insoluble derivatives are suitable for lithographic or intaglio paper printing. The novel complexes are excited by radiation below 300 nm and thus cannot be activated by sunlight (the earth's atmosphere prevents light below about 300 nm reaching the surface). Accordingly, the photo‐stability of the dyed materials and prints obtained is excellent. These materials could be used in security marking applications, for example bank‐notes and passports, where they could replace the current fluorophores that are rendered visible under near UV light (typically 365 nm) illumination but exhibit relatively poor photo‐stability. The development of an RGB (red, green and blue) colour palette for inkjet printing based on these innovative luminophores will significantly support the design of digitally printed security features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a study that focuses on assessing the influence of composites with different thicknesses (2 mm, 4 mm, and 9 mm) on embedded ultrasonic guided waves (UGWs) under varying temperatures. The study also demonstrates the effectiveness of these embedded sensors in identifying damage. A novel cut-out method that included an embedded diagnostic layer and phased-array lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducers, created using the ink-jet printing technique in the manufacturing process was employed. The research then focused on studying the behavior of UGWs under varying temperatures for each composite panel. This analysis aimed to understand how temperature variations affected the propagation of guided waves in thick composites. Finally, artificial damage on the surface and impact damage were introduced, both embedded and surface-mounted PZT transducers were used to detect and locate these damages in different thickness composite panels. The results of damage localization indicated that the embedded PZT transducers were more sensitive than the surface-mounted transducers in locating the damage in thick composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first illustrated haggadah of the print era was published around 1505 by David and Samuel ibn Nahmias in Istanbul (henceforth "Istanbul Haggadah"). It was embellished with woodcuts that had been commissioned in 1492 in Naples. This paper approaches the Istanbul Haggadah as a cultural product of the early Sefardi Diaspora. A comparative iconographic method reveals idiosyncrasies in relation to the tradition of medieval manuscript haggadot, which are then contextualized within the cultural ambience of the early Sefardi Diaspora in Naples, where Don Isaac Abarbanel played a central role as a spiritual and communal leader. My analysis is based on three types of information and sources: Abarbanel's post-expulsion writings, among others a commentary on the haggadah; book-historical data on the early phases of printing; and historical information on the lives of the refugees. Most Sefardi printing projects from the post-expulsion years were aimed at meeting the spiritual needs of the community of exiles. The Istanbul Haggadah, and particularly its illustration program, was a fitting compliment to these endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, ink‐jet 3D printing materials were developed and investigated. Additionally, a UV‐thermal dual‐curable prepolymer was synthesized and introduced into liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing material. Subsequently, a UV‐thermal dual‐cured 3D printing material was developed as well. The different light stabilizers, photoinitiator content and different thermal annealing time were studied to reveal these effects on the mechanical properties of the ink‐jet 3D printed samples. FTIR was used to analyze the deblocking effect of blocked isocyanate in the synthesized resin. The mechanical properties of the UV‐thermal dual‐cured materials at different thermal annealing time and different ratios of UV content to thermal content were discussed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to reveal the microscopic morphology of UV‐thermal dual‐cured material before and after thermal annealing. Finally, the dissipated energies of different 3D printing materials were revealed to indicate the difference in internal structure between ink‐jet, LCD and UV‐thermal dual‐cured 3D printing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents graphene inks produced through the liquid-phase exfoliation of graphene flakes in water using optimized concentrations of dispersants (gelatin, triton X-100, and tween-20). The study explores and compares the effectiveness of the three different dispersants in creating stable and conductive inks. These inks can be printed onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using an aerosol jet printer. The investigation aims to identify the most suitable dispersant to formulate a high-quality graphene ink for potential applications in printed electronics, particularly in developing chemiresistive sensors for IoT applications. Our findings indicate that triton X-100 is the most effective dispersant for formulating graphene ink (GTr), which demonstrated electrical conductivity (4.5 S·cm−1), a high nanofiller concentration of graphene flakes (12.2%) with a size smaller than 200 nm (<200 nm), a low dispersant-to-graphene ratio (5%), good quality as measured by Raman spectroscopy (ID/IG ≈ 0.27), and good wettability (θ ≈ 42°) over PET. The GTr's ecological benefits, combined with its excellent printability and good conductivity, make it an ideal candidate for manufacturing chemiresistive sensors that can be used for Internet of Things (IoT) healthcare and environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass customization of prefabricated architecture is becoming increasingly crucial for developing the architectural industry. Advanced technologies such as 3D printing and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) has brought opportunities and challenges for traditional fabrication and construction methodology. Based on these emerging digital design tools and intelligent construction methods, this paper presents a novel methodology for fabricating single-layer 3D printing panels using UAV positioning technology, which has the potential to revolutionize the construction process and enhance the overall efficiency. This paper first provides a comprehensive review of the existing technologies in 3D printing and UAV positioning, highlighting their benefits and limitations in the context of construction applications. Next, a step-by-step process for fabricating single-layer 3D printing panels is introduced, detailing the optimal design parameters, material selection, and printing techniques. The utilization of UAV for precise positioning and alignment of the panels is then discussed, including the development of an on-site installation for accurate control. To validate the proposed method, a construction practice of the Chengdu Agricultural Expo Centre is produced o demonstrate the promising manufacturing and installation of single-layer 3D printed panels using UAV positioning technology. The results indicate that this method significantly reduces construction time, material waste, and labour costs, while also demonstrating significant customization and design flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid film by jet impingement is widely applied in aerospace, steel quenching, ink-jet printing, and cleaning. In this paper, simulations with the modified contact angle model were used to describe the characteristics of the liquid film. Based on the Hoffman's law and the Tanner's correlation, the contact angle model was constructed and further nested within the Coupled Level Set and Volume of Fluid model. The model determined the movement direction of contact line according to the inner product of the normal vector at the phase interface and the lateral velocity in the cell and then outputted the value of the contact angle. Results showed that the advancing and the receding contact angles of droplet were inappropriate for the simulation of the liquid film. The size of the liquid film obtained by the static contact angle largely depended on the selection of contact angle values. Instead, the modified contact angle model provided an accurate prediction on the morphology and the size of the liquid film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chemical structure of dyes is fundamental to the ageing and degradation process. • Ink-jet printing is an established method for producing contemporary works of art. • Glass protection also affects the print's resistance to light. • The choice of substrate is also crucial for the protection of prints. Ink-jet printing has recently been increasingly used for professional and domestic purposes. However, the degradation of ink-jet prints under the influence of external factors, predominantly light, can cause unexpected problems and lead to the limited life span of a product. It is therefore essential to have in-depth knowledge about the materials, i.e. paper and ink, used for ink-jet printing and to consider their lightfastness to assure the resistance of a print as a whole. The aim of the present research was to study the lightfastness of ink-jet prints protected with glass. Using a printer with dye-based inks, samples of cyan, magenta, yellow and black were printed on different paper substrates. Prints and substrates alone were exposed to the radiation of xenon light for a limited time to simulate the action of average daylight. Some of the samples were exposed to radiation without protection, while others were covered with ordinary window glass or glass which ensured UV protection. Afterwards, the changes on samples were evaluated spectrophotometrically and colour differences were calculated using the CIEDE2000 equation. The results showed that glass effectively reduces the photodegradation of ink-jet prints. Protection with UV glass proved to be more effective than with ordinary glass. The substrate selection was also significant in achieving print lightfastness, as much smaller colour differences were observed on the prints made on photo paper than on those printed on plain office paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robocasting, or Direct Ink Writing, can be used to create dense mono- or multi-materials ceramic parts using micro-extrusion of ceramic pastes through needles, whose position is controlled in 3D. Rheological properties of the ceramic pastes, printing parameters and thermal post processes (drying, debinding and sintering) are key parameters to control the quality of the printed parts. In this work, the rheological properties (including yield stress, shear-thinning behavior, storage/loss moduli and recovery time) of alumina pastes were characterized. Correlations were established between on one side the rheological properties and the printing conditions and on the other side the extrudability, the shape fidelity and the mechanical performance of the final parts. This paper thus defines an extended definition of printability, which includes functional requirements of the final parts in addition to the more classical processability criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society is the property of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this article, the integration into a single measurement system of device level and nanoscale measurement equipment is presented and applied to the electrical characterization of emerging electron devices. This system is a smart solution to simplify the test procedure, since it allows a fast switching between measurement modes (device or nanoscale level), also featuring an enlarged testing capability. Key in the system is a custom-made inkjet-printed circuit board (I-PCB) that connects the device terminals to the proper instrumentation. The flexibility offered by inkjet-printing technologies is a clear advantage, since many kinds of devices can be tested, without the need of expensive hardware modifications. As a particular case of study, the proposed strategy is demonstrated by implementing a system that alternates between standard electrical measurements with a Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer (SPA) and Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy (CAFM) nanoscale measurements on back-gate graphene field-effect transistors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]