Imbibition dynamics of nano-particulate ink-jet drops on micro-porous media

Ink-jet printing of nano-metallic colloidal fluids on to porous media such as coated papers has become a viable method to produce conductive tracks for low-cost, disposable printed electronic devices. However, the formation of well-defined and functional tracks on an absorbing surface is controlled by the drop imbibition dynamics in addition to the well-studied post-impact drop spreading behavior. This study represents the first investigation of the realtime imbibition of ink-jet deposited nano-Cu colloid drops on to coated paper substrates. In addition, the same ink was deposited on to a non-porous polymer surface as a control substrate. By using high-speed video imaging to capture the deposition of ink-jet drops, the time-scales of drop spreading and imbibition were quantified and compared with model predictions. The influences of the coating pore size on the bulk absorption rate and nano-Cu particle distribution have also been studied

Symmetry Breaking in Jetting

In the bubble-jet printing process, it has been observed that the drop that ultimately pinches off from the ink jet sometimes moves sideways rather than straight relative to the symmetry axis of the liquid jet. We examined various mechanisms that might lead to the deflection of the ink drop. In particular, we focused on whether the liquid filament that connects the lead drop to the nozzle is capable of supporting lateral waves which might propagate from the nozzle toward the lead drop and break the symmetry at pinch-off

Self-assembling dyes

A novel dye according to formula (I): capable of self-assembling thus forming supra-molecular structures. These self-assembling dyes may be advantageously used in an ink-jet ink for improving the stability of ink-jet ink images to light fading

Modeling the effect of ink spread and ink penetration on tone reproduction

In ink jet printing when ink is printed on top of the paper, two effects occur that have an effect on the dot that is printed. One effect is that the ink spreads out laterally and the other is that the ink penetrates into the paper. A tone reproduction model was developed that mathematically modeled the effects ink spread and ink penetration have on tone reproduction. Since the optical behavior of ink penetration is very complex, the model only included characteristics that were expected to be significant. This model was built from the foundation of another tone reproduction model which mathematically modeled the optical effect of halftone patterns as a probability. The model was tested using test samples consisting of gray scales produced by thermal ink jet. These samples were produced by varying certain conditions that are thought to affect ink penetration and ink spread and simulate other ink jet environments such as different inks, different papers, and different printers. Microdensitometry equipment was used to obtain data from the samples and the model was analyzed on how well it fit the data

The preservation and conservation of ink jet and electrophotographic printed materials

This research project has investigated the light fastness of ink jet and electrophotographic printed materials by the means of an extensive accelerated and natural ageing test programme. The effect of visible radiation of different wavebands on the deterioration of a selection of ink jet printed materials has also been assessed. The findings of the research indicate that all of the ink jet printed materials tested are sensitive to light and should not therefore, be put on permanent display. Most of the ink jet printed samples exhibited greater light sensitivity to the shorter wavelengths of the visible spectrum, than the longer wavelengths, with damage decreasing as wavelength increases. This relationship was not evident with the cyan and blue printed samples, which showed that their light sensitivity was determined by the spectral absorption characteristics of the printed patch. Some of the ink jet printed materials produced erratic fading rates on exposure to light. This phenomenon was attributed to either the occurrence of photochromism or the disintegration of the dye particles in the ink, but further testing needs to be conducted to gain a better understanding of this reaction. Other factors also influenced the light fastness of the ink jet materials, such as the type of paper employed for printing, ink concentration and ink combination. The electrophotographic printed materials were found to be more stable to light, although the yellow toner from some of the systems would show noticeable fading after approximately 65 to 325 years on permanent display (at 50 lux for eight hours per day). A range of basic conservation treatments was also been investigated and the results indicated that ink jet print materials are very sensitive to all forms of aqueous treatments. Finally, thermal/dark ageing has been performed on the digital printed papers employed in this investigation. The conclusion is that all of the papers are prone to yellowing in storage

Tintas Ink-Jet para Decoracion 3D

Se han desarrollado un conjunto de diferentes tintas ink-jet, para aplicar como objeto 3D y capas extrafinas con el fin de proteger la decoración realizada mediante tecnología ink-jet. Estas nuevas tintas se obtienen a través del desarrollo de nuevas fritas basadas en estructuras vitro cristalinas monofásicas que permiten obtener efectos cerámicos mediante decoración digital. Las nuevas tintas mejoran la capacidad de aplicación mediante cabezales ink-jet con el fin de conseguir efectos estéticos y decorativos superiores a los obtenidos con la decoración convencional.Peer reviewe

Ink composition containing a particular type of dye, and corresponding ink jet printing process

An ink composition is disclosed which contains a novel type of dye (DYE)n(SAU)m that is capable of self-assembling under appropriate conditions, or is capable of assembling with another analogous dye (DYE')n'(SAU')m', or is capable of assembling with a compound (SAU'')p(X)q, thus forming supramolecular structures. Also disclosed is an ink jet printing process using these novel dyes, and an ink jet printing apparatus provided with an ink cartridge containing such a dye