Modified ink printer churns out electronic circuits

I’ve got to try this –

A desktop printer loaded with a silver salt solution and vitamin C has been used to produce electronic circuits. The UK researchers behind the feat say their experimental device could pave the way for safer and cheaper electronics manufacturing.

Being able to print out electronic components and whole circuit boards could provide an alternative to current manufacturing techniques, which are energy intensive and environmentally unfriendly.

Printing conductive polymer ink (see Goodbye wires and silicon, hello plastic chips), or pastes containing graphite or metal particles are two existing options. But researchers at Leeds University in the UK wanted to avoid the solvents needed for these processes.

Modified ink printer churns out electronic circuits – tech – 18 April 2007 – New Scientist Tech – [via] Link.