Mechanisms, influencing factors, and applications of electrohydrodynamic jet printing

Abstract

E-jet printing is a micro- and nano-manufacturing technique that utilizes electric field-induced fluid jet printing for achieving better control and resolution than traditional jet printing processes. In addition to high printing resolution, E-jet printing has advantages in some aspects such as wide material applicability, which has been successfully applied in numerous applications that include sensors, transistors, tissue engineering scaffolds, and photonic devices. This article reviews the electrohydrodynamic jet (E-jet) printing technology, which mainly relies on the principle of electrohydrodynamic-induced fluid movement. At the same time, the process of jet formation and droplet deposition is described. The parameters, nozzle design, and ink characteristics of the jet printing process are summarized. Then, a number of concrete applications based on E-jet printing processes are described in this article. Finally, the future development of this technology has been prospected.

Recent Advances in Polyurethane/POSS Hybrids for Biomedical Applications

“…When the electric field is applied, the solution overcomes its surface tension, and the jet is ejected from the needle. Due to the charge deposited on each droplet and solvent evaporation, the jet breaks up into smaller charged droplets collected on the stainless steel substrate [ 195 ].…”

High Precision 3D Printing for Micro to Nano Scale Biomedical and Electronic Devices

“…If the jetting speed matches the moving speed of X-Y stage (or needle), a straight cone jet is generated. When the jetting speed is higher than the moving speed of the X-Y stage (or needle), wavy filaments are produced [80]. Previous studies found the line width of EHD filament decreased with the increase of the moving speed of the X-Y stage (or needle) [92,98], while He et al gave the opposite result [99].…”

“…A slight increase in voltage based on dripping mode, a micro dripping mode can be obtained with a much smaller size than the nozzle. Unlike the dripping mode, the pulsating jet mode does not shrink the meniscus after the droplets are separated [80]. A pulsating mode is formed by a slight increase in voltage or flow rate.…”

“…Weber showed that the optimum wavelength for the jet breakup depended directly on the viscosity and inversely on the density and surface tension of the liquid [93]. Kwon et al showed that the jetting pulse duration increased with increasing viscosity and decreased with increasing conductivity and surface tension [80]. On the other hand, the surface tension and viscosity have a direct relation and the electrical conductivity and density have an inverse relation with the size of beads.…”

Inkjet Printing of Functional Inks for Smart Products

“…The most disseminated ones are piezoelectric and thermal inkjet printing, nonetheless, there are other methods whose popularity is increasing and can also grant high-quality printing of functional inks [36]. Among those, electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-IJP [37][38][39], aerosol jet printing [40], drop impact printing [41], and acoustic printing [42], can be highlighted.…”