Electronically addressable microencapsulated ink and display thereof
AssigneeE Ink Corporation
InventorJoseph M. Jacobson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
We describe a system of electronically active inks which may include electronically addressable contrast media, conductors, insulators, resistors, semiconductive materials, magnetic materials, spin materials, piezoelectric materials, optoelectronic, thermoelectric or radio frequency materials. We further describe a printing system capable of laying down said materials in a definite pattern. Such a system may be used for instance to: print a flat panel display complete with onboard drive logic; print a working logic circuit onto any of a large class of substrates; print an electrostatic or piezoelectric motor with onboard logic and feedback or print a working radio transmitter or receiver.
Claims23
A method of fabricating an electrically active construction, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a liquid suspension comprising:
- i. a semiconductive powder;
- and
- ii. a binder;
- (b) providing a substrate;
- (c) distributing the suspension onto the substrate;
- (d) exposing the suspension distributed on the substrate to a curing stimulus to form a suspension of the semiconductive powder in the cured binder.
A method for manufacturing a conductive or semiconductive trace, the method comprising:
- providing a first jet arranged to distribute a salt capable of being converted to a conductive or semiconductive material;
- providing a second jet arranged to distribute an agent capable of converting the salt to the conductive or semiconductive material;
- distributing the salt onto a substrate by means of the first jet;
- and
- distributing the agent by means of the second jet onto to at least part of the salt on the substrate, thereby forming the trace.
A method for providing a thin patterned semiconductor film or trace comprising:
- (a) dispersing a semiconductor powder into a binder to form a semiconductor ink;
- (b) coating the semiconductor ink onto a substrate;
- and
- (c) patterning the semiconductor ink through a printing process to form a suspension of the semiconductive powder in the cured binder, the printing process being effected by a moveable head emitting a thermal, optical or electronic beam;
- wherein the printing process occurs outside of a vacuum.
A method for providing a thin patterned semiconductor film or trace comprising:
- (a) dispersing a semiconductor powder into a binder to form a semiconductor ink;
- (b) coating the semiconductor ink onto a substrate;
- and
- (c) patterning the semiconductor ink through a printing process to form a suspension of the semiconductive powder in the cured binder, the printing process being effected by an inkjet emitting a material that chemically reacts with said semiconductor ink;
- wherein the printing process occurs outside of a vacuum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.