Systems and methods for optimizing the formulation of materials are provided. The systems and methods employ a data-driven, iterative approach to derivate optimal material formulations. One portion of the system includes a sample automation system that outputs the material samples to be tested, and a second portion of the system includes an optimization engine that analyzes data extracted from the material samples and generates additional formulations for materials to be printed and tested. This process continues so that optimal material formulations can be determined based on desired mechanical properties of the material to be optimized. The optimization engine can further be capable of predicting results of formulation that have not yet been tested and using those predictions to further drive the next suggested materials to be tested.

The present invention provides an environmentally friendly pigment dispersant composition that can be produced relatively easily. In this pigment dispersant composition, the content of a volatile component is significantly reduced even though the pigment dispersant composition contains a pigment dispersant mainly containing a constituent unit derived from a vinyl-based monomer, and a pigment dispersion and an ink which are excellent in pigment dispersability can be prepared using this pigment dispersant composition. This pigment dispersant composition contains a polyglycol component and a polymer component having a constituent unit (1) derived from a macromonomer represented by formula (1), wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sub.1 represents CH.sub.2CH.sub.2 or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2, and m+n=20 to 100, and a constituent unit (2) derived from a functional group-containing vinyl-based monomer, wherein the polyglycol component is a polyalkylene glycol or the like, and a content of an organic compound having a boiling point of 250° C. or lower is 1% by mass or less.

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A method of forming an image on a substrate that includes applying a radiation curable analog ink composition by an analog printing method onto a surface of the substrate to form a coated substrate, applying a radiation curable inkjet ink composition by a digital printing method onto the coated substrate while the radiation curable analog ink composition is still wet to form a hybrid coated substrate, and exposing to electron beam radiation. A method of forming an image on a substrate that includes applying a radiation curable inkjet ink composition by a digital printing method onto a surface of the substrate to form a coated substrate, applying a radiation curable analog ink composition by an analog printing method onto the coated substrate while the radiation curable inkjet ink composition is still wet to form a hybrid coated substrate, and exposing to electron beam radiation.

A method of forming an image on a substrate that includes applying a radiation curable analog ink composition by an analog printing method onto a surface of the substrate to form a coated substrate, applying a radiation curable inkjet ink composition by a digital printing method onto the coated substrate while the radiation curable analog ink composition is still wet to form a hybrid coated substrate, and exposing to electron beam radiation. A method of forming an image on a substrate that includes applying a radiation curable inkjet ink composition by a digital printing method onto a surface of the substrate to form a coated substrate, applying a radiation curable analog ink composition by an analog printing method onto the coated substrate while the radiation curable inkjet ink composition is still wet to form a hybrid coated substrate, and exposing to electron beam radiation.

A method for printing and curing an image uses a printer having a curing unit including at least one controllable radiation emitting unit. The printer includes a medium support configured to, in operation, support the recording medium. The method includes applying a predetermined pattern of a radiation-curable ink composition onto a recording medium to form an image; curing the image in a curing zone, wherein in the curing zone the recording medium covers a first area of the medium support, the medium support further having a second area not covered by the recording medium; controlling the curing unit to be in a curing mode in the first area of the medium; and controlling the curing unit to be in a non-curing mode in the second area of the medium support. A printer and a software product are also disclosed.

An ink composition includes a quantum dot; a carboxyl group (—COOH)-containing binder polymer; an electrical insulating polymer precursor; a radical initiator; and a liquid vehicle, wherein the liquid vehicle includes a mixture of a first organic compound including a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, a compound represented by Chemical Formula 2, or a combination thereof, and a second organic compound including a compound represented by Chemical Formula 3, a compound represented by Chemical Formula 4, or a combination thereof: ##STR00001##

An ink contains a medium, a coloring agent, a fixing polymer, and one or more kinds of polymers other than the fixing polymer. The coloring agent is dissolved or dispersed in the medium. The fixing polymer has a glass-transition temperature higher than the ordinary temperature and is dispersed in the medium. The one or more kinds of polymers each have a glass-transition temperature higher than the ordinary temperature and are dissolved or dispersed in the medium. The fixing polymer is higher in glass-transition temperature than 80 mass % or more of the one or more kinds of polymers contained in the ink and each having a glass-transition temperature higher than the ordinary temperature.

An ink contains a medium, a coloring agent, a fixing polymer, and one or more kinds of polymers other than the fixing polymer. The coloring agent is dissolved or dispersed in the medium. The fixing polymer has a glass-transition temperature higher than the ordinary temperature and is dispersed in the medium. The one or more kinds of polymers each have a glass-transition temperature higher than the ordinary temperature and are dissolved or dispersed in the medium. The fixing polymer is higher in glass-transition temperature than 80 mass % or more of the one or more kinds of polymers contained in the ink and each having a glass-transition temperature higher than the ordinary temperature.

An inkjet ink containing scale-like metal particles is provided. An average major axis of the scale-like metal particles is equal to or less than 400 nm (preferably 50 to 200 nm). Furthermore, the inkjet ink contains 2 to 10 mass % of the scale-like metal particles. The scale-like metal particles preferably include indium and/or chromium. The inkjet ink may be a radical polymerization type or a cationic polymerization type.

An inkjet ink containing scale-like metal particles is provided. An average major axis of the scale-like metal particles is equal to or less than 400 nm (preferably 50 to 200 nm). Furthermore, the inkjet ink contains 2 to 10 mass % of the scale-like metal particles. The scale-like metal particles preferably include indium and/or chromium. The inkjet ink may be a radical polymerization type or a cationic polymerization type.