Cambridge scientists develop graphene-based printer ink November 28, 2011 10:00 by Andy Warburton

Graphene, hailed as the "wonder substance" capable of transforming electronics manufacturing, has been successfully used with printer ink. Scientists from Cambridge have used the one-atom thick layer of carbon in conjunction with inkjet technology for the first time.

Stronger than diamond yet lightweight and flexible, graphene enables electrons to flow much faster than silicon, according to the team led by professor Andrea Ferrari, head of the Nanomaterials and Spectroscopy Group at the University of Cambridge. It is also a transparent conductor, combining electrical and optical functionalities in an "exceptional way".

The team were able to create an ink that can deposit graphene on a flexible silicon substance and improve the performance of an organic semiconductor. Although printable electronics from inks are not new, the graphene technology will allow far smaller devices to be made than previously allowed.

In an article published on Arxiv, the team noted that inkjet printing has progressed from printing text and graphics to a tool for rapid manufacturing and is now an established technique to print Thin Film Transistor based on organic conducting and semiconducting inks. However, the conducting ability is still well below that for standard silicon technology.

The graphene approach overcomes many of the obstacles. The researchers explained: "The combination of our graphene ink with organic semiconducting inks is promising for high performance printed electronics."

"Our mission is to take graphene and related layered materials from a state of raw potential to a point where they can revolutionise multiple industries – from flexible, wearable and transparent electronics to high performance computing and spintronics," says Professor Ferrari.

The team hope that the unique properties of graphene will spark "innovation on an unprecedented scale" in manufacturing and electronics. Its uses include helping to create high speed, transparent and flexible consumer goods, novel information processing devices, biosensors, supercapacitors as alternatives to batteries, mechanical components and lightweight composites for cars and planes.

Posted by John Sollars