Vadient Optics, LLC

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.p.

Voxtel, Inc.

Charles G Dupuy

John Paul Harmon

Alexey S Kabalnov

George M Williams

David M Schut

Patricia A Wang

Ngoc Thanh Nguyen

Bradley J Hermens

Jay Stephen Gondek

Thomas Leonard Allen

Sang-ki Park

Matthew Allen Shepherd

Paul Tyrell

Luanne J Rolly

Edward Whitney Elliott, Iii

Christopher D Weber

Naomi Oak

Chris Weber

A method for forming a heterogeneous or gradient dielectric-property element comprises: (a) providing a plurality of solution-based feedstocks, each including an organic matrix, wherein at least one of the feedstocks includes a nanoparticle filler dispersed within the organic matrix, the feedstocks comprising a first ink having a first photosensitive entity and one or more additional feedstocks having other photosensitive entities, the first and subsequent feedstocks having at least one different photosensitization absorption band, such that spectrally discrete exposure results in different degrees of curing; (b) providing an electromagnetic (EM) source configured to polymerize one or more of the feedstocks; (c) depositing the feedstocks in a plurality of layers; and (e) curing at least a portion of the plurality of feedstocks, wherein deposition and subsequent curing results in regions where complex dielectric properties are different within or between at least one of the plurality of layers.

Dual photoinitiated nanocomposite-ink printing

An aqueous or organic solvent medium for additive manufacturing technologies comprising a nanocrystal comprising a functional group. The nanocrystal material is selected from a metal oxide, fluoride, metallic, carbon-based, semiconducting quantum dot or combinations thereof. The functional group comprises primary amine, carboxylic acid, lactam ring, polyamide polymer chain or group used to attach a similar functional group.

Surface functionalization of inorganic nanocrystals for nanocomposite additive manufacturing

A method of inkjet printing a gradient dielectric element in a deposition and photo-polymerization process. The method comprises: providing a plurality of complex-dielectric-inks that are inkjet printable including a nanocomposite-ink with an organic-matrix and a nanoparticle filler dispersed within. The plurality of complex-dielectric-inks have a first complex-dielectric-ink having a first photoinitiator and a second complex-dielectric-ink with a second photoinitiator. The first and second complex-dielectric-ink have different wavelength selective photo-polymerization absorption bands such that spectrally discrete exposure results in different degrees of polymerization of the first and second complex-dielectric-ink. The method further comprises providing an optical source to polymerize the complex-dielectric-inks, depositing droplets of the plurality of complex-dielectric-ink and curing the plurality of complex-dielectric-inks, wherein deposition of the plurality of layers result in a volumetric nanoparticle concentration gradient.

A method of manufacturing a nanocomposite GRIN optical-element. The method comprises providing a volumetric gradient refractive profile and providing a plurality of nanocomposite-inks to form the GRIN optical-element. Each of the plurality of nanocomposite-inks have nanoparticles dispersed in an organic-matrix. The plurality of nanocomposite-inks comprising of a nanoparticle diffusion inhibiting nanocomposite-ink wherein nanoparticle diffusion is inhibited with respect to another of the plurality of nanocomposite-inks. The diffusion inhibiting nanocomposite-ink having a different dielectric property from at least one of the other plurality of nanocomposite-inks. The plurality of nanocomposite-inks also comprising a nanoparticle diffusion permitting nanocomposite-ink wherein nanoparticle diffusion is permitted with respect to at least another of the plurality of nanocomposite-inks.

Diffusion controlled nanocomposite-inks

Methods of manufacturing a volumetric continuous gradient complex dielectric element with drop-on-demand techniques, such as inkjet printing, by calculating spatial placement of nanocomposite-ink droplets are disclosed. The methods comprise determining or having a multi-dimensional gradient profile representing a volumetric gradient complex dielectric element. Providing or having a plurality of nanocomposite-inks, at least one of the nanocomposite-inks having a curable organic-matrix and a concentration of nanoparticles dispersed within to print the volumetric continuous gradient complex dielectric device. A print mask is determined in one-, two-, or three-dimensions that reconstructs the multi-dimensional gradient profile as a discretized pattern based on the material properties of the plurality of nanocomposite-inks and properties of a printing apparatus with a plurality of printheads. A spatial or spatio-temporal print schedule is determined that results in an at least approximate reproduction of the gradient profile when printed with the printing apparatus.

Multi printhead refractive gradient inkjet printing

Optical inks suitable for 3D printing fabrication of gradient refractive index (GRIN) optical components are composed a monomer matrix material doped with ligand-functionalized nanoparticles, wherein the monomer has a viscosity less than 20 cPoise and is UV curable to form a solid polymer. The matrix material doped with the ligand-functionalized nanoparticles has a transmittance of at least 90% in a predetermined optical wavelength range, wherein the ligand functionalized nanoparticles have a size less than 100 nm, are loaded in the monomer matrix material at a volume percent of at least 2%, and alter an index of refraction of the monomer matrix by at least 0.02. The ligand-functionalized nanoparticles have a plurality of ligands attached to a nanoparticle core surface with an anchor functional group and terminated with a buoy functional group that are reactive, non-reactive, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments the ligands have a length less than 1.2 nm measured radially from the nanoparticle core surface.

Inks for 3D printing gradient refractive index (GRIN) optical components

Methods of manufacturing a volumetric continuous gradient complex dielectric element with drop-on-demand techniques, such as inkjet printing, by calculating spatial placement of nanocomposite-ink droplets are disclosed. The methods comprise determining or having a multi-dimensional gradient profile representing a volumetric gradient complex dielectric element. Providing or having a plurality of nanocomposite-inks, at least one of the nanocomposite-inks having a curable organic-matrix and a concentration of nanoparticles dispersed within to print the volumetric continuous gradient complex dielectric device. A print mask is determined in one-, two-, or three-dimensions that reconstructs the multi-dimensional gradient profile as a discretized pattern based on the material properties of the plurality of nanocomposite-inks and properties of a printing apparatus. A spatial or spatio-temporal print schedule is determined that results in an at least approximate reproduction of the gradient profile when printed with the printing apparatus.

Refractive gradient inkjet printing

Optical inks suitable for 3D printing fabrication of gradient refractive index (GRIN) optical components are composed of a monomer matrix material [in which ligand-functionalized nanoparticles [are well dispersed at more than 2% loading to induce a change in the index of refraction of the matrix of at least 0.02. The ligands are less than 1.2 nm in length and are covalently bonded to both the nanoparticles and the monomer matrix. The nanoparticles are less than 100 nm in size and the doped matrix material has a transmittance of at least 90% at wavelengths of interest. The matrix material has less than 20 cPoise viscosity and is UV crosslinkable to form a cured polymer.

An optical upconverting nanomaterial includes a nanocrystal, a ligand layer directly bonded to the nanocrystal, and an optical antenna directly or indirectly bonded to the nanocrystal. The nanocrystal includes a transition metal-doped material exhibiting upconversion to optical wavelengths. The transition metal-doped material includes energy transfer facilitating transition metal dopants and (not necessarily distinct) emitter transition metal dopants, where an absorption spectrum of the energy transfer facilitating transition metal dopants overlaps with an emission spectrum of the optical antenna. The optical upconverting nanomaterial has at least one linear dimension (e.g., width or thickness) that is less than 150 nm in extent.

Broadband optical upconversion by energy transfer from dye antenna to upconverting crystal

An ink set for inkjet printing includes a cyan ink having a first lightness value, a magenta ink having a second lightness value, and a blue ink having a third lightness value, wherein the cyan ink and the magenta ink mix to form a composite blue having a fourth lightness value, wherein the fourth lightness value is approximately twice the third lightness value.

Ink set for inkjet printing

An inkjet ink includes a mixture of a phthalocyanine dye and a rhodamine magenta dye in an ink vehicle, wherein the inkjet ink has a chroma C* value of approximately 60 to approximately 90.

Inkjet ink formulation

The present invention is drawn to magenta dye blends and magenta ink-jet inks that can be used in ink sets for creating photo quality images. The dye blend can comprise a nickel-containing azo dye blended with a rhodamine dye at a 1:80 to 125:4 weight ratio.

Magneta ink-jet inks

The present invention is drawn to dye sets for formulating ink-jet ink sets, and to specific ink sets. The dye set can comprise cyan colorant including a phthalocyanine dye; magenta colorant including a copper- or nickel-containing azo dye; and yellow colorant including at least one of Yellow 1189 dye and Yellow 104 dye yellow colorant having the structure Formula 1:wherein Ris H, SOM, COOM, or SONH; and wherein Ris H, SOM, COOM, or SONH; and wherein Ris H or CH; and wherein n and m are 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; and wherein M is H, Na, Li, K, ammonium, ammonium substituted with alkyl or combinations thereof. Optionally, a cyan triarylmethine dye such as Acid Blue 9, or another similar cyan dye, can be blended with the phthalocyanine dye; a rhodamine dye can be blended with the copper- or nickel-containing azo dye; and/or Acid Yellow 17 or Acid Yellow 23 can be blended with Formula 1.

Dye sets and ink sets for ink-jet ink imaging

The present invention is drawn to ink-jet inks that can be used with cyan, magenta, and yellow ink set systems for improved image gamut and lightfastness while maintaining good chroma in the case of color ink and lightness in the case of black ink. More specifically, in an embodiment of the invention, ink sets can comprise specific ink-jet inks having low dye load dyes for use in six-ink systems, for example.

Growing community of inventors

Corvallis, OR, United States of America

Charles G Dupuy