| Many current material fabrication methods use a top-down approach, in which material is removed from a substrate until a desired configuration is achieved. These methods often use materials inefficiently and require complex instruments, controlled environments, and excessive turn-around time. A simpler bottom-up approach, in which materials are added in small increments, would increase efficiency of time and resources and negate the need for specialized environments or complicated tools. One such approach is direct patterning using inkjet printing. Inkjet printing is capable of patterning a large variety of materials in an efficient and simple one-step process.;The objective of this thesis work was to (a) explore inkjet printing methods for a variety of materials and (b) create a library of optimized jetting parameters. A MicroFab Jetlab® 4 inkjet printer system was used to pattern several types of nanomaterials, polymers and cells. Analysis of the printed materials was performed to determine the effectiveness of the direct patterning method for fabrication of patterns and structures.;Though inkjet printing has a few disadvantages including need for significant optimization of the jetting parameters for efficient and accurate material printing, I have shown that it is a technology capable of patterning a number of materials in a simple and efficient manner. |
