Nanostructure based microfluidic pumping apparatus, method and printing device including same
First Claim
1. A microfluidic pumping device suitable for effecting inkjet printing by ejecting fluid through at least one nozzle in response to activation of a deflectable membrane, said device comprising:
- an actuator operatively coupled to said membrane and containing at least one electrolytic fluid; and
, at least one nanostructure contained in said electrolytic fluid;
wherein, said nanostructure is adapted to deflect toward said membrane in response to an operating voltage being applied to at least said nanostructure thereby deflecting said membrane and causing said fluid to be ejected through said nozzle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic actuator suitable for effecting drop on demand inkjet printing by ejecting fluid through at least one nozzle from at least one cavity being at least partially formed by a deflectable membrane, the actuator including: an actuator chamber operatively coupled to the membrane and containing at least on electrolytic fluid; and, at least one nanostructure contained in the electrolytic fluid; and, wherein, the nanostructure is adapted to deflect toward the membrane in response to an operating voltage being applied to at least the nanostructure thereby deflecting the membrane and causing the fluid to be ejected through the nozzle.
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Citations
70 Claims
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1. A microfluidic pumping device suitable for effecting inkjet printing by ejecting fluid through at least one nozzle in response to activation of a deflectable membrane, said device comprising:
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an actuator operatively coupled to said membrane and containing at least one electrolytic fluid; and
,at least one nanostructure contained in said electrolytic fluid;
wherein, said nanostructure is adapted to deflect toward said membrane in response to an operating voltage being applied to at least said nanostructure thereby deflecting said membrane and causing said fluid to be ejected through said nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A microfluidic pumping device suitable for effecting inkjet printing by ejecting fluid through at least one nozzle in response to activation of a deflectable membrane, said device comprising:
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an actuator operatively coupled to said membrane;
at least one nanostructure contained in said actuator; and
, means for forming a double layer charge when an operating voltage is applied to said at least one nanostructure;
wherein, said nanostructure is adapted to deflect toward said membrane in response to said double layer charge thereby deflecting said membrane and causing said fluid to be ejected through said nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for effecting inkjet printing by ejecting fluid through at least one nozzle in response to activation of a deflectable membrane, said method comprising the step of applying a sufficient voltage to form a double layer charge on at least one nanostructure sufficient to cause enough deformation of said at least one nanostructure to deflect said membrane thereby ejecting said fluid through said nozzle.
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53. A device being suitable for printing a predetermined image on a substrate, said device comprising an array of inkjet nozzles suitable for applying ink to said substrate in said predetermined pattern, wherein each of said nozzles has associated therewith:
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at least one deflectable membrane;
an actuator operatively coupled to said membrane and containing at least one electrolytic material; and
,at least one nanostructure electrically coupled to said electrolytic material;
wherein, said nanostructure is adapted to deflect in response to an operating voltage being applied to at least said nanostructure thereby deflecting said membrane and causing said ink to be ejected through said associated nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A device suitable for ejecting fluid from an area substantially adjacent to a deflectable membrane, said device comprising:
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an actuator operatively coupled to said membrane and containing at least one electrolytic fluid; and
,at least one nanostructure contained in said electrolytic fluid;
wherein, said nanostructure is adapted to deflect toward said membrane in response to an operating voltage being applied to said at least one nanostructure thereby deflecting said membrane and causing said fluid to be ejected from said space.
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Specification