Inkjet printing is widely used as a technique for the fabrication of printed electronic devices. Here we present an analytic treatment of the inkjet printing of two dimensional features with a partially wetting ink. We develop and demonstrate an algorithm for generating variable line spacings that leads to printed features superior to those possible at any fixed spacing. By modeling printed bead shape during the print and by compensating for evaporation, we are able to accurately control a feature's contact angle as it is printed, line-by-line. Finally, we model the maximum corner curvature possible in an equilibrium, partially wetting feature with a positive retreating contact angle and confirm our results with a non-volatile printed system.
Dan Soltman, Ben Smith, S.J.S. Morris, Vivek Subramanian, "Methodology for Inkjet Printing Partially Wetting Films" in Proc. IS&T Int'l Conf. on Digital Printing Technologies and Digital Fabrication (NIP26), 2010, pp 292 - 296, https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2169-4451.2010.26.1.art00078_1