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Researchers create rollerball-pen ink to draw circuits — Parallax Forums

Researchers create rollerball-pen ink to draw circuits

Comments

  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-07-05 07:59
    'Cool idea! I'd like to see more additive processes like that become mainstream. The current subtractive techniques used to make PCBs are extremely wasteful of materials and require some pretty nasty chemicals.

    -Phil
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-07-05 08:14
    The etched copper is recycled these days, so it isn't too bad.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-07-05 08:28
    Interesting approach, but I wonder if that pen would work with op amp level of signals - driving LEDs is nice, but a good conductor should be able to handle very low signal levels.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2011-07-05 08:42
    I kind of like the idea of being able to draw circuits on a window a stick LEDs on to it. Christmas lights without all the wires.
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2011-07-05 09:50
    Been around for quite a while http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=conductive+ink+pen&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4180940663618335059&sa=X&ei=D0ATTsz3O4XmsQOmve2YDg&ved=0CHsQ8wIwAg##
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-07-05 11:27
    @Franklin: I have one of those things, and it doesn't work well at all. It didn't conduct any of the times I used it, and this was confirmed with a continuity tester. Granted, I was using this on a PCB to tie up some lines I had forgotten, not on paper as shown for the new product.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-07-05 23:56
    Frankly, I'd die and go to heaven in someone developed an ink that would fit into a printer cartridge or laser printer and - both - conduct electricity and allow soldering.

    Of course, that is like to never be. But one can dream.

    And the other day, I was thinking it would be nice if glass could be made non-glare so that I don't have the bright tropical sun blinding me when I am following a car in traffic at certain times of day.

    Again, it is a nice idea that seems to contradict basic material science.


    Good meals that are ready to eat at all times seems to be yet another impossiblity.
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