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US manufactures "electronic ink" using harmless nanocrystalline silicon
In a groundbreaking development reported by the Physicist Organization Network on July 30, American scientists have successfully tackled key challenges in producing electronic devices and solar cells from low-cost, non-toxic, and durable materials. This breakthrough brings us closer to affordable touchpads and solar panels that could cost just a few dollars, making clean energy and digital learning more accessible worldwide. The research was recently published in *Nature Communications*.
Uvi Kotschagan, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Minnesota and one of the study’s co-authors, emphasized the potential impact: “This technology could allow children in developing countries to use touchpads for learning at under $10. In the long run, the cost of home solar panels is expected to drop below that of fossil fuels.â€
The team from the University of Minnesota and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a new type of "electronic ink" using non-toxic nanoscale silicon crystals. This ink can be used in plastic printing to create low-cost electronic devices, opening up new possibilities in sustainable tech.
Dr. Lance Weiler, the lead researcher from the University of Minnesota, compared the manufacturing process to printing numbers on a jersey, but noted it is far more complex. “There are two main challenges when using this kind of silicon ink,†he explained.
First, traditional methods require organic molecules called “ligands†to stabilize the ink, but these can leave harmful residues after printing, degrading the performance of the resulting thin films. Additionally, to improve conductivity, scientists often use a process called “doping,†which involves adding germanium nanoparticles—another costly and potentially toxic step.
The new method eliminates both issues. By using a non-thermal plasma, researchers created silicon nanocrystals coated with a layer of chlorine atoms. This coating interacts well with common solvents, removing the need for ligands. Moreover, the solvent itself acts as a natural dopant, boosting the film’s conductivity by a thousand times.
Kotschagan concluded, “This research brings us a step closer to creating safer, more stable electronic inks using non-toxic chemicals. We hope this innovation will benefit people everywhere.â€