recent advancements in inkjet technology

inkjet technology

1. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING Presented By Haseena taj 4VM21EC032 Under the guidance of Prof . Namratha D’cruz Assistant Professor TECHNICAL SEMINAR PRESENTATION ON RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN INKJET TECHNOLOGY

2. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING LIST OF CONTENTS Introduction Types of inkjet printing Inkjet printed hydraulic actuators Key features of inkjet printed electrohydraulic actuators Principle of operation and design Schematic illustration of fabrication of electrohydraulic actuator Benefits of Inkjet-Printed Electrohydraulic Actuators Applications Conclusion

3. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING INTRODUCTION Inkjet printing is a low-cost and precise way to print tiny patterns for electronics, medicine, and fabrics. This study focuses on piezoelectric inkjet printing, which is reliable and works with different inks. It explores how voltage controls ink droplets to improve printing quality, speed, and stability. New developments allow printing thicker inks for clothes, screens, and wearable devices. Inkjet printing is also useful for making soft, flexible parts used in robots and healthcare. One type, called electrohydraulic actuators, is strong and bendable but difficult to make small. This study introduces a new method using inkjet and 3D printing to create tiny, flexible parts, showing its potential for future technology.

4. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING TYPES OF INKJET PRINTING Piezoelectric Inkjet Printing Thermal Inkjet Printing Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Needle-Based Printing Aerosol Jet Printing Laser-Assisted Printing Acoustic Printing Drop Impact Printing

5. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING INKJET PRINTED HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS Inkjet-printed hydraulic actuators are soft, flexible devices created using inkjet printing technology to control movement through liquid or fluid pressure. These actuators are lightweight, customizable, and can be miniaturized for use in robotics, healthcare, and wearable technology. By precisely printing tiny channels and structures, inkjet printing allows for efficient fabrication of hydraulic actuators without complex molding or assembly processes. One promising type is electrohydraulic actuators, which use electrically controlled fluids to generate motion. These actuators offer high force, flexibility, and durability, making them useful for soft robotics, medical devices, and assistive technologies.

6. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING KEY FEATURES OF INKJET PRINTED ELECTROHYDRAULIC ACTUATORS Soft and Flexible – Made from soft materials, allowing smooth and adaptable movement. Light weight and Compact – Ideal for miniaturized applications like wearable devices and small robots. Customizable Design – Inkjet printing enables precise and complex patterns for different needs. Efficient Fabrication – No need for complex molding or manual assembly, making production faster and easier. Electrohydraulic Control – Uses electric signals to move liquid inside, creating controlled motion. High Force Output – Despite being small and soft, they generate significant force for their size. Applications in Robotics and Healthcare – Useful for soft robots, artificial muscles, assistive devices, and medical tools.

7. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION AND DESIGN WORKING PRINCIPLE: Voltage Off (Initial State) – The actuator remains in its default shape with no external voltage applied. The soft structure maintains its original form. Voltage Applied (Intermediate State, V>0V > 0V>0) – When a voltage is applied, an electric field is generated, creating Maxwell stress in the actuator. This stress causes the structure to deform, elongating in response to the electrostatic forces. Maximum Voltage Applied – At the highest applied voltage, the actuator reaches its maximum linear elongation. The attraction between positive and negative charges enhances stretching, enabling linear motion. This deformation lifts a weight, demonstrating force generation.

8. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION Electrohydraulic Actuation – The actuator operates based on electrohydraulic principles, where an applied electric field influences the movement of a fluid inside the actuator. Maxwell Stress Effect – When voltage is applied, electrostatic forces cause deformation in soft materials, generating mechanical motion. Linear or Bending Actuation – Depending on the actuator design, the movement can be either linear (expansion/contraction) or bending (curvature-based motion).

9. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING DESIGN ASPECTS Inkjet-Printed Layers – The actuator consists of multiple inkjet-printed layers, including electrodes, dielectric materials, and fluid channels. Soft and Flexible Materials – The materials used ensure smooth, adaptive movement suitable for soft robotics and biomedical applications. Compact and Lightweight – Miniaturized design allows integration into wearable devices and medical tools.

10. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING SCHEMATIC ILLUSTRATION OF FABRICATION OF ELECTROHYDRAULIC ACTUATOR

11. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING SCHEMATIC ILLUSTRATION OF FABRICATION OF ELECTROHYDRAULIC ACTUATOR Dielectric Film: Mylar A thin, flexible Mylar dielectric film is selected as the base material. Mylar is commonly used because of its insulating properties, flexibility, and durability. Electrode: Inkjet Printing Conductive ink is printed onto the Mylar film using an inkjet printer to create electrodes. These electrodes will later help generate an electric field for actuation. Dielectric Film Aligning Two layers of corona-treated and heat-sealable Mylar are aligned together. The corona treatment improves adhesion between the layers. This step ensures proper alignment of the printed electrodes.

12. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING Heat Sealing: FDM 3D Printer A Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printer is used to seal the Mylar layers with TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) . This step creates enclosed channels that will later be filled with a liquid dielectric (silicone oil). Silicone Oil Filling The enclosed structure is filled with silicone oil , which serves as a dielectric fluid to enhance electrohydraulic actuation. The fluid allows controlled deformation when an electric field is applied. Electrohydraulic Actuator Testing The completed actuator is connected to a high-voltage power supply for testing. When voltage is applied, the electrodes generate an electric field, causing the actuator to expand or contract based on Maxwell stress . The actuator produces linear motion , useful for applications in soft robotics, biomedical devices, and wearable technology .

13. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING BENEFITS OF INKJET-PRINTED ELECTROHYDRAULIC ACTUATORS Flexible and Lightweight – Made from soft materials, allowing smooth and adaptable movement, ideal for soft robotics and wearables. Customizable Design – Inkjet printing allows precise, complex patterns, enabling tailored actuator shapes for various applications. Miniaturization – The fabrication method supports small-scale actuators, making them suitable for micro-robotics and biomedical devices. Efficient and Cost-Effective Fabrication – Combines inkjet and 3D printing, reducing material waste and eliminating complex assembly steps. Smooth and Silent Operation – Unlike traditional actuators with gears or motors, these actuators operate silently with fluid motion.

14. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING BENEFITS OF INKJET-PRINTED ELECTROHYDRAULIC ACTUATORS Low Power Consumption – Uses high voltage but low current, making it energy-efficient for long-term use in soft robotics and prosthetics. Biocompatibility – The use of soft materials and silicone-based fluids makes them safe for medical and wearable applications. Scalability – The same printing techniques can be used to fabricate actuators of different sizes, from millimeter-scale to larger structures. Integration with Other Technologies – Can be combined with sensors, artificial muscles, or smart textiles for advanced applications in robotics and assistive devices.

15. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS Biomedical Devices Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip Devices Space and Aerospace Applications Underwater Robotics Energy Harvesting Systems Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology

16. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING CONCLUSION Inkjet-printed electrohydraulic actuators offer a revolutionary approach to soft robotics, biomedical devices, and advanced engineering applications. Their lightweight, flexible, and customizable design enables precise motion while maintaining energy efficiency. By integrating inkjet and 3D printing, these actuators provide a scalable and cost-effective fabrication method, making them ideal for wearable technology, prosthetics, and adaptive structures. With their silent operation, biocompatibility, and high force-to-weight ratio, they hold great potential for future innovations in robotics, healthcare, and aerospace.