title: Characteristics of carbon nanotubes based micro-bubble generator for thermal jet printing.
abstract: We propose a conceptional thermal printhead with dual microbubble generators mounted parallel in each nozzle chamber, where multiwalled carbon nanotubes are adopted as heating elements with much higher energy efficiency than traditional approaches using noble metals or polysilicon. Tailing effect of droplet can be excluded by appropriate control of grouped bubble generations. Characteristics of the corresponding micro-fabricated microbubble generators were comprehensively studied before the formation of printhead. Electrical properties of the microheaters on glass substrate in air and performance of bubble generation underwater focusing on the relationships between input power, device resistance and bubble behavior were probed. Proof-of-concept bubble generations grouped to eliminate the tailing effect of droplet were performed indicating precise pattern with high resolution could be realized by this kind of printhead. Experimental results revealed guidance to the geometric design of the printhead as well as its fabrication margin and the electrical control of the microbubble generators.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Wenli
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yupeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Weijun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yunbo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhu