Moon R.P., Fountain III A.W., Guicheteau J.A., Christesen S.D., Green N., Hung K., Tripathi A.
US Army, US
Keywords: calibration, explosive, inkjet, standards
Materials deposited on manmade or natural surfaces are frequently utilized as calibration standards for chemical or explosive detecting systems. The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) has redesigned a standard inkjet printer to be able to deposit precise amounts of chemical and explosive testing material on any surface, allowing for better testing calibration standards. Present drop-and-dry deposition systems produce a largely non-uniform distribution of particles with an overall sample spread shape and area that is difficult to control or predict. To determine threshold sensitivity of systems which detect chem/bio agents and explosives, precise, accurate quantities must be deposited. The refined inkjet printer model provides a new methodology for quantitatively depositing chemical or explosive materials on surfaces. The Direct Jet 1309 printer (Direct Color Systems, Rocky Hill, CT) was used to deposit chemicals and explosive materials on relevant surfaces. Various chemical simulant characteristics were evaluated for printing suitability. These characteristics included viscosity, surface tension, density, substrate surface energy, and harmfulness to the printer. Quantitative analyses were performed on printed materials. Results showed that the printer produced uniform distributions as well as quantitatively accurate samples within 7% of the predicted amount.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 4, Advanced Manufacturing, Electronics and Microsystems: TechConnect Briefs 2015
Published: June 14, 2015
Pages: 388 - 391
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Inkjet Design, Materials & Fabrication
ISBN: 978-1-4987-4730-1