For the electronics hobbyists out there, there’s good news. Anyone loosely connected to the field of electronics knows making a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is such a chore. First you design the darned schematic on a CAD software, then you convert it in to a printable circuit form, the layout is then transferred on to the PCB, then you have to remove the copper foil chemically. Looks simple in written form but takes a lot of time and effort to master the art.
The smart guys at Xerox have developed a better way to make PCBs, simply print them on to plastics, or even fabrics using the metallic ink. The procedure is simpler than ever now, design the PCB on a CAD application and simply print it on a thin plastic which happens to be an insulator. The metallic ink dries out quickly converting the whole printed image in to a circuit. The circuit is flexible, low cost and ideal for small businesses and home users. This kind of innovation will pave the way for commercialization of smart devices such as an intelligent pill boxes which will allow patients to keep track of the amount of medication in their boex. It will also aid in the fabrication of flexible foldable screens that can be rolled and carried in a briefcase.
The company’s Laboratory Manager, Paul Smith said that for years companies were trying to find a way to produce low cost plastic circuits, and now with the Silver Ink this is a possibility. The company says that now making cheap games and electronic clothing will be a possibility. Imagine being able to wear a new design on your T-shirt everyday, or how about a T-shirt that changes colors every hour?
Xerox is currently seeking interested manufacturers to try out and evaluate their revolutionary product, it will also provide them with the much needed materials for this purpose. Read the whole story here.
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Article by nauman
I am 39 year old technology enthusiast trying to keep myself updated on the latest happenings in this field. I like to keep things simple and everyday I learn something new to share with the world!