Silver Ink Pen Draws Circuits
URBANA, IL – University of Illinois research scientists have designed a roller ball pen using real silver ink to draw functioning circuit boards, say published reports.
The team says the ink is flexible in a way not previously seen; they are able to sketch electrical circuits on paper, wood and other flexible surfaces.
They have also been able to add components to a hand-drawn circuit, including LED lights and a battery.
When the ink dries, it leaves conductive silver pathways and maintains conductivity through multiple bends and folds.
Freestyle conductive pathways enable new low-cost possibilities in disposable electronics and folded 3-D devices.
The researchers expect to expand the inks to enable writing of other electronic and ionically conductive materials.
