A workpiece (100) having substrate, such as a glass substrate, can be etched by a laser or by other means to create recessed features (200, 202). A laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) process or metal oxide printing process can be employed to impart a seed material (402), such as a metal, onto the glass substrate, especially into the recessed features (200, 202). The seeded recessed features can be plated, if desired, by conventional techniques, such as electroless plating, to provide conductive features (500) with predictable and better electrical properties. The workpieces (100) can be connected in a stacked such that subsequently stacked workpieces (100) can be modified in place.

A sheet material includes a resin layer containing a binder and catalyst particles, an electroless plating film on the side of one main surface of the resin layer and including first electroless plating films and a second electroless plating film, and a base material on the side of the other main surface of the resin layer.

A sheet material includes a resin layer containing a binder and catalyst particles, an electroless plating film on the side of one main surface of the resin layer and including first electroless plating films and a second electroless plating film, and a base material on the side of the other main surface of the resin layer.

A structure containing a Sn layer or a Sn alloy layer includes a substrate, a Sn layer or Sn alloy layer formed above the substrate, and an under barrier metal formed between the substrate and the Sn layer or Sn alloy layer in the form of a single metal layer containing any one of Fe, Co, Ru and Pd, or an alloy layer containing two or more of Fe, Co, Ru and Pd.

A method of constructing conductive material in arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) geometries, such as 3D printing. The method may include selective application of an aerosol-based colloidal solution containing a catalytic palladium nanoparticle material onto a substrate and then immersion of the coated substrate into an electro-less plating bath for deposition of conductive copper material. The above steps may be repeated to create arbitrary 3D geometric constructs containing conductive metallic patterns.

A method of constructing conductive material in arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) geometries, such as 3D printing. The method may include selective application of an aerosol-based colloidal solution containing a catalytic palladium nanoparticle material onto a substrate and then immersion of the coated substrate into an electro-less plating bath for deposition of conductive copper material. The above steps may be repeated to create arbitrary 3D geometric constructs containing conductive metallic patterns.

A structure containing a Sn layer or a Sn alloy layer includes a substrate, a Sn layer or Sn alloy layer formed above the substrate, and an under barrier metal formed between the substrate and the Sn layer or Sn alloy layer in the form of a single metal layer containing any one of Fe, Co, Ru and Pd, or an alloy layer containing two or more of Fe, Co, Ru and Pd.

A process and apparatus that enable selective passivation of electroless nickel to control formation and growth of undesired nickel plating between traces without inhibiting plating on the required features is provided. In some embodiments activity of a passivating agent is increased. In some embodiments, activity is increased by agitation using one or more eductors to increase fluid flow velocity of the passivating agent near to introduction into plating bath. One or more baffles can confine the mass-transfer zone. The process and apparatus are also particularly applicable where voltage is not able to control nodule formation, such as in electroless nickel plating.

Devices, systems, and methods are contemplated for depositing metals to the surface of a substrate. A first precursor ink including a metal is applied to a surface of the substrate, and the precursor ink is reduced to deposit the metal to the substrate, preferably by thermal reduction, forming a first metal layer. A second precursor ink having a second metal is then applied to the substrate, at least partially over the first metal layer. The second precursor ink is then reduced, typically by chemical reduction, depositing the second metal over the first metal layer in a globular fashion. Precursor inks are also disclosed having an alkyl metal carboxylate, a cyclic amine, and at least one of an ester, a hydrocarbon, or an ether.

An ink composition including a metal salt amine complex; wherein the metal salt amine complex is formed from a metal salt and an amine; a compound selected from the group consisting of a stable free radical, a photoacid generator, and a thermal acid generator; and an optional solvent. A process including forming a metal salt amine complex; adding a compound selected from the group consisting of a stable free radical, a photoacid generator, and a thermal acid generator to the metal salt amine complex to form an ink. A process forming conductive features on a substrate with the ink composition.