An apparatus for aligning dipoles is provided. The apparatus includes: an electric field forming unit including a stage and a probe unit, the probe unit being configured to form an electric field on the stage; an inkjet printing device including an inkjet head, the inkjet head being configured to spray ink including a solvent and dipoles dispersed in the solvent onto the stage; a light irradiation device configured to irradiate light onto the stage; and a temperature control device including a temperature control unit, the temperature control unit being configured to control a temperature of the solvent sprayed on the stage.

An apparatus for aligning dipoles is provided. The apparatus includes: an electric field forming unit including a stage and a probe unit, the probe unit being configured to form an electric field on the stage; an inkjet printing device including an inkjet head, the inkjet head being configured to spray ink including a solvent and dipoles dispersed in the solvent onto the stage; a light irradiation device configured to irradiate light onto the stage; and a temperature control device including a temperature control unit, the temperature control unit being configured to control a temperature of the solvent sprayed on the stage.

A binary array ink jet printhead assembly includes a cavity for containing ink, nozzle orifices in fluid communication with the cavity for passing the ink from the cavity to form droplets, the nozzle orifices extending along a length of the cavity, and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a front face configured to be disposed generally parallel to a plurality of droplet paths of droplets from the nozzle orifices. A plurality of charge electrodes are disposed on the front face, each charge electrode corresponding to a droplet path and disposed parallel to the droplet path. Circuitry is disposed on the electrode assembly, wherein each electrode is electrically connected to the circuitry. The circuitry is further in electrical connection to a connector for connecting the electrode assembly to a controller for the printhead.

A binary array ink jet printhead assembly includes a cavity for containing ink, nozzle orifices in fluid communication with the cavity for passing the ink from the cavity to form droplets, the nozzle orifices extending along a length of the cavity, and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a front face configured to be disposed generally parallel to a plurality of droplet paths of droplets from the nozzle orifices. A plurality of charge electrodes are disposed on the front face, each charge electrode corresponding to a droplet path and disposed parallel to the droplet path. Circuitry is disposed on the electrode assembly, wherein each electrode is electrically connected to the circuitry. The circuitry is further in electrical connection to a connector for connecting the electrode assembly to a controller for the printhead.

The print head cover (83) of an electrostatic deflection inkjet printer is made of a material having an electrical surface resistivity of no more than 10.sup.12 ohms per square or an electrical volume resistivity of no more than 10.sup.9 ohm metres and is electrically connected to an earth line (93, 97). This prevents build-up of electric charge on the cover (83). The resistance from the surface of the cover (83) to a place where a cover earth line (93) joins a signal earth line (97) or enters the umbilical (7) is at least 16000 times the resistance from that place to earth. This prevents an electrostatic discharge to the cover (83) disrupting the electronic circuits. The high resistance earth connection for the cover (83) avoids the need for an earthing wire braid in the umbilical (7). The cover (83) may be moulded from an antistatic or static dissipative material.

An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing apparatus or system may include circulation of printing fluid to minimize or eliminate clogging in a nozzle. An exemplary nozzle comprises at least two ink channels—one allowing flow to a droplet emitting opening and one allowing flow away from the droplet emitting opening—configured for circulating ink. The nozzle may transfer ink to a substrate with an EHD technique involving voltage or current modulation. For example, an electric field may be applied between the nozzle and printing substrate such that the ink meniscus changes shape and releases ink from the tip of the liquid cone. A multi-channel nozzle may take a variety of configurations, including two co-axially aligned capillaries, side-by-side parallel capillaries, or capillaries arranged at an angle with respect to one another but converging at a single point where the conical meniscus is formed.

An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing apparatus or system may include circulation of printing fluid to minimize or eliminate clogging in a nozzle. An exemplary nozzle comprises at least two ink channels—one allowing flow to a droplet emitting opening and one allowing flow away from the droplet emitting opening—configured for circulating ink. The nozzle may transfer ink to a substrate with an EHD technique involving voltage or current modulation. For example, an electric field may be applied between the nozzle and printing substrate such that the ink meniscus changes shape and releases ink from the tip of the liquid cone. A multi-channel nozzle may take a variety of configurations, including two co-axially aligned capillaries, side-by-side parallel capillaries, or capillaries arranged at an angle with respect to one another but converging at a single point where the conical meniscus is formed.

A method for the electrohydrodynamic deposition of carbonaceous materials utilizing an electrohydrodynamic cell comprising two electrodes comprised of a conductive material, by first combining a solid phase comprising a carbonaceous material and a suspension medium, placing the suspension between the electrodes, applying an electric field in a first direction, varying the intensity of the electric field sufficiently to drive lateral movement, increasing the electrical field to stop the lateral transport and fix the layers in place, then removing the applied field and removing the electrodes. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, the method may advantageously utilize: varying the spacing between the electrodes; removing the buildup from one or both electrodes; placing the electrodes into different suspensions; adjusting the concentration, pH, or temperature of the suspension(s); and varying the direction, intensity or duration of the electric fields.

A method for the electrohydrodynamic deposition of carbonaceous materials utilizing an electrohydrodynamic cell comprising two electrodes comprised of a conductive material, by first combining a solid phase comprising a carbonaceous material and a suspension medium, placing the suspension between the electrodes, applying an electric field in a first direction, varying the intensity of the electric field sufficiently to drive lateral movement, increasing the electrical field to stop the lateral transport and fix the layers in place, then removing the applied field and removing the electrodes. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, the method may advantageously utilize: varying the spacing between the electrodes; removing the buildup from one or both electrodes; placing the electrodes into different suspensions; adjusting the concentration, pH, or temperature of the suspension(s); and varying the direction, intensity or duration of the electric fields.

In order to suppress adherence of ink splash to an electrode and ink contamination of surrounding environment, in a printing system, there is provided a continuous type ink jet printer having a nozzle for jetting ink in the form of particles, a charging electrode for electrically charging the jetted ink particles, and a deflection electrode for deflecting the charged ink particles. The system includes a printing section for printing an object to be printed with the ink particles jetted from the nozzle and a charging section configured to charge at least one of the printing object prior to its printing by the printing section and surrounding atmosphere in which the printing on the printing object is to be effected by the printing section with a polarity opposite to a polarity of the charge provided to the ink particles by the charging electrode.