Center Smart Materials and Adaptive Systems CeSMASince hybrid polymers can be realized as cross-linkable, solvent-free resins, they can be easily adapted to printing technologies, such as screen-print, offset print, gravure print or ink-jet printing. For inkjet printing in particular, apart from the hybrid polymers developed at CeSMA, few materials are available that achieve the requested low viscosity and functionality without the use of solvents.
Hybridpolymers can also be processed using 3D printing techniques (Ink-jet printing, DLP printing, Stereolithography, Two-photon-absorption). The combination of UV curing, solvent-free formulations and the adjustment of additional physical and chemical parameters provide the potential to create functional 3D printed-objects such as illuminating optics or complex printed circuit boards.
The generation of printable materials that are free of solvents is an important feature when very homogeneous bulks are printed, such as e.g. for 3D printed optics. Moreover, beside of the viscosity, surface energy can be adapted on a molecular level allowing excellent printing results with perfect film forming properties or sharp edges on 3D printed structures.
UV curing or thermal curing at moderate temperatures allow the adaptation of these materials to temperature-sensitive substrates such as PET, Paper, etc.
Printable hybrid polymers have been used for printed electronics, printed optics, optical interconnections and printed surface modifications and fluidics.