Cheap Ink-Jet Printed Circuitry
Researchers at Georgia Tech have created a new technique that'll allow nearly anyone to create circuitry using a desktop printer.
The project, which was initially a in the hands of the University of Tokyo and with Microsoft Research, uses a desktop printer to laydown conductive circuit wiring on resin coated paper, PET films and photo papers.
According to Georgia Tech the new printing technique can use silver nanoparticle ink to create circuits in as little as 60 seconds.
"We believe there is an opportunity to introduce a new approach to the rapid prototyping of fully custom-printed circuits," said Gregory Abowd, Regents' Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech and an investigator in the study. "Unlike existing methods for printing conductive patterns, conductivity in our technique emerges within a few seconds and without the need for special equipment."
What's more everything used in the development of the project is available to consumers. For about $300 you can build your own circuit printing machine. That development alone has excited researchers, "Using this technology in the classroom, it would be possible to introduce students to basic electronics principles very cheaply, and they could use a range of electronic components to augment the experience," said Steve Hodges, a team member from Microsoft Research."
Yoshihiro Kawahara, Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo echoed Steve's excitement, "[This] method can be used to print circuit boards, sensors and antennas with little cost, and it opens up many new opportunities."
In a demonstration of the versatility and responsiveness of their new circuit printing technique Georgia Tech researchers attached a capacitive ribbon to an inkjet printed circuit and placed it into a glass of water. The circuit immediately adhered to the glass's wall and, when connected to a smartphone, was able to measure the amount of water in the glass.
As this technology continues to mature I imagine it'll find its way into corporate R&D departments and DIYers' garages everywhere. With cheap, quickly prototyped circuits right at their fingertip I wouldn't be surprised if circuit designers make major advances in electronic technology in the coming decades.
Image Courtesy of Georgia Tech
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