Inkjet Patterned Carbon Nanotube Multilayer Devices

Layer-by-layer assembly (LBL) of carbon nanotubes serves as a method for the creation of unique combinations of electrical, mechanical and optical material properties allowing for flexible electronic applications with integrated strength and conductivities. Inkjet printing serves as a continuous direct-write approach to patterning LBL films for the simple, low-cost integration into advanced functional devices. The strictly additive approach allows for the incorporation of a variety of different materials and substrates for a versatile, multicomponent and noncontact patterning technique. Here we will demonstrate the use of this technique for the development of a wide range of application from electrical actuators as building blocks for complex micromechanical devices to low cost paper sensors for rapid detection and diagnostics.