3D printing of ferromagnetic passive shims for field shaping in magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) often encounters image quality degradation due to magnetic field inhomogeneities. Conventional passive shimming techniques involve the manual placement of discrete magnetic materials, imposing limitations on correcting complex inhomogeneities. To overcome this, we propose a novel 3D printing method utilizing binder jetting technology to enable precise deposition of a continuous range of concentrations of ferromagnetic ink.

Comparison of Thin-Film Capacitor Geometries for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds Using a ZIF-8 Affinity Layer.

Their chemical diversity, uniform pore sizes, and large internal surface areas make metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) highly suitable for volatile organic compound (VOC) adsorption. This work compares two geometries of capacitive VOC sensors that use the MOF material ZIF-8 as an affinity layer. When using a permeable top electrode (thickness < 25 nm), the metal-insulator-metal (MIM) sandwich configuration exhibits superior sensitivity, an improved detection limit, and a smaller footprint than the conventional interdigitated electrode layout.

Vapor-Phase Loading of an Ionic Liquid into a Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework.

Composites formed by a metal-organic framework (MOF) and an ionic liquid (IL) are potentially interesting materials for applications ranging from gas separation to electrochemical devices. Consequently, there is a need for robust and low-cost preparation procedures that are compatible with the desired applications. We herein report a solvent-free, one-step, and vapor-based ship-in-bottle synthesis of the IL@MOF composite 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide@ZIF-8 in powder and thin film forms.

Screen Printed Copper and Tantalum Modified Potassium Sodium Niobate Thick Films on Platinized Alumina Substrates.

We show how sintering in different atmospheres affects the structural, microstructural, and functional properties of ~30 μm thick films of KNaNbO (KNN) modified with 0.38 mol% KCuTaO and 1 mol% CuO. The films were screen printed on platinized alumina substrates and sintered at 1100 °C in oxygen or in air with or without the packing powder (PP).

From coffee stains to uniform deposits: Significance of the contact-line mobility.

Hypothesis: Contact-line motion upon drying of a sessile droplet strongly affects the solute transport and solvent evaporation profile. Hence, it should have a strong impact on the deposit formation and might be responsible for volcano-like, dome-like and flat deposit morphologies.

Experiments: A method based on a thin-film interference was used to track the drop height profile and contact line motion during the drying.

Additive Manufacturing of Ferroelectric-Oxide Thin-Film Multilayer Devices.

Additive manufacturing has dramatically transformed the design and fabrication of advanced objects. Printed electronics-an additive thin-film processing technology-aims to realize low-cost, large-area electronics, and fabrication of devices with highly customized architectures. Recent advances in printing technology have led to several innovative applications; however, layer-on-layer deposition persists as a challenging issue.

Tailoring Ink-Substrate Interactions via Thin Polymeric Layers for High-Resolution Printing.

The surface properties of a substrate are among the most important parameters in the printing technology of functional materials, determining not only the printing resolution but also the stability of the printed features. This paper addresses the wetting difficulties encountered during inkjet printing on homogeneous substrates as a result of improper surface properties. We show that the wetting of a substrate and, consequently, the quality of the printed pattern, can be mediated through the deposition of polymeric layers that are a few nanometers thick.