Micro deposition method

Abstract

A new fabrication system for Ionic Polymer Metallic Composites (IPMC) entitled Micro Deposition Method(MDM) is introduced. The tolerances in prototyping IPMC's using available fabrication techniques does not meet the tight limits for fabricating the polymer transducer. The MDM overcomes this limitation by using a microfluidic dispersion head that can deposit 3 to 10 picoliters of the electrode layer dissolved in a solvent at a high throughput. The MDM in its existing configuration can be used to fabricate micron scale polymer transducers with features 2 microns and above with high accuracy and repeatability. A commercially available piezoelectric deposition head from an inkjet printer is modified and used to disperse the electrode material of controlled thickness as a concept demonstration. The physical properties of the dispersed fluid are adjusted to meet the requirements of the deposition head to fabricate the prototype. The dispersion fluid used had a viscosity of 3.47 ±0.06 cP, a surface tension of 23.6 ±.1 mNm-1, and a conducting power volume load set at 10%.