|
Written by Mike Buetow
|
|
Wednesday, 19 March 2008 11:00 |
SAN JOSE — The
U.S. Display Consortium today
announced a one-year development contract with Optomec to further develop its
M3D Aerosol Jet System for printed electronics. The $750,000
cost-shared award will provide Optomec the opportunity to extend its proprietary
additive manufacturing technology to a level that has not been possible before
through more traditional printing techniques.
The USDC is a public/private partnership chartered with
developing the flexible electronics and displays industry supply chain.
Under the agreement, Optomec will focus on
developing a printing platform for next-generation devices, such as high-density
circuitry for printable electronics, displays and photovoltaic cells. The new
printing system will use a multi-nozzle aerosol jet deposition that eliminates
the need for screens or stencils required by traditional contact deposition
processes, while enabling much finer resolution (4 µm widths). The
additive process is said to reduce environmental impact by minimizing
waste and chemicals that are part of traditional manufacturing
processes.
“The USDC project will build on Optomec's existing printed
electronics solution, which is already gaining traction in the production of
more efficient solar cells, embedded sensors and life science devices,” said Optomec president David Ramahi.
|
