Using a printer creates an electronic circuit on every surface

Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has developed a new technology that allows printing of complex electronic circuits on a variety of surfaces using a digital T-shirt printer. This result extends the use of disposable electronics on a variety of materials (such as paper, plastic and aluminum).

Professor Joseph Chang (right) with his colleagues and printed circuit board printer. (Photo: Theengineer)

According to lead researcher Professor Joseph Chang, the difference between new technology and traditional methods is that the manufacturing process does not use any toxic chemicals or oxidizing agents.

With the printer as a tool, the team prints complete circuits with resistors, resistors (a semiconductor component) and capacitors from non-toxic organic materials such as silver nanoparticles, carbon and plastic. They even print a 4-bit DAC used in speakers or headphones and RFID tags.

Notably, this electronic circuit can be printed on a variety of surfaces , which means we will soon see the introduction of a range of smart products, such as milk cans that help alert damaged milk, wound dressings. Reminds you when you need to replace or stick with your body's biological signals.

Professor Chang said that the technique could be used to produce large disposable small electrical circuits that could be used in just a few minutes at a very low cost.

References: Gizmag