Researchers at Tel Aviv University and electronics printing company Nano Dimension have collaborated on a project to develop a 3D printing process for nickel nanoparticles.
The nanoparticle nickel material had been developed at the University’s Labs and has excellent mechanical as well as corrosion resistant properties. Using this material for 3D printing applications, however, is challenging, as the particles cluster and therefore can clog the print head’s nozzles.
The research team led by Professor Gil Markovich, head of the Department of Chemistry at Tel-Aviv University, has developed a process to produce a stable suspension of nickel nanoparticles that don’t cluster.
“This was achieved using a wet chemical synthesis process, based on the reduction reaction of the nickel compounds and the presence of a capping agent which formed the final product, well defined nickel nanoparticles,” the company explains in a press release.
The team now works on advancing the material to be used for Nano Dimension’s electronics 3D printing process as well as other applications. The 3D printable nickel nanoparticle ink could be used for sensors with a high spatial resolution. These sensors can be directly embedded within the layers of a PCB, using the Dragonfly 2020 printer. As nickel is also highly resistent against corrosion, it is an excellent material to be used for the production of PCBs.
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