Fundamental Fluid Dynamics Challenges in Inkjet Printing

Inkjet printing is the most widespread technological application of microfluidics. It characterized by its high drop productivity, small volumes, and extreme reproducibility. This review gives a synopsis fluid dynamics inkjet discusses main challenges for present future research. These lie both on printhead side—namely, detailed flow inside printhead, entrained bubbles, meniscus dynamics, wetting phenomena at nozzle plate, jet formation—and receiving substrate droplet impact, merging, substrate, evaporation, drying. In cases droplets are multicomponent, displaying rich physicochemical hydrodynamic phenomena. The side interwoven, as optimizing process materials with respect to either alone not enough: As same ink (or other jetted liquid) used frequency size matter sides, must be optimized whole.