Scientists draw semiconductor circuits with super-fine ink-jet printers

[Magrath]

Scientists draw semiconductor circuits with super-fine ink-jet printers
Hardware
By Rick C. Hodgin
Friday, September 07, 2007 10:58

Urbana (IL) - Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a new type of ink-jet printer capable of drawing 700 nm lines and 250 nm dots on circuit boards. They've demonstrated the ability to reliably print circuit patterns which work, thereby ushering in a whole new generation of fast-cycle tools.

Several scientific disciplines have joined forces to create a practical form of nanoscale printer. The electro-hydro-dynamic jet, or e-jet printers operate similarly to ink-jet printers. They can produce remarkably higher resolutions, however. So much higher they can even be used to "print" circuit boards and "draw" circuits onto displays and photovoltaic modules, as well as a host of similar devices. Basically, if it exists in 3 dimensions, is comprised of layers, and can be drawn onto a substrate material, then this new printer can do it.
Read on (http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/33743/135/)

[Besty]

I remember reading about a lower detail version of this type of printer that was being designed to print disposable electronic devices...simple circuits that don't need nanometer precision (like light switches, etc).

It was at the point where they could "Print" a working FM radio, and were trying to get the design up to scale to use the right materials to "print" an LCD TV. It's a whole new era of Mass production...

[scarlet-rain]

Wonder if the coltan supply will be able to keep up?

[orsum]

the nm value just keeps getting smaller and smaller !

[Aukiman]

yeah the mind boggles! - that coupled with being able to use body heat differential as a power source should make for some cool wearable electronic gadgets