Modified desktop inkjet printer as low-cost material deposition device

Abstract

Inkjet printers have lately become important research tools for the development of innovative devices and materials, especially in the field of materials engineering and biomedical research. However, commercial inkjet products aimed at research and development can be prohibitively expensive to use in the context of a university, especially in South Africa. This contribution details the process followed to adapt an inexpensive desktop inkjet printer for use as a material deposition system, by way of rearranging and manipulating the paper feed mechanism and housing structure to allow the alignment and deposition of multiple layers of material onto substrates of varying thicknesses. The modified printer was used to print conductive structures onto paper using commercial silver-nanoparticle ink. Custom ink containing the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was also deposited onto paper and glass substrates as the first step towards constructing printed biosensors.