Contact Printing Based on Meniscus Vibration

Abstract

Utilizing the residual droplet produced from liquid bridge breakup for microdroplet deposition serves as an important supplementary method to conventional printing techniques. However, this approach typically relies on mechanical motion to form and break the liquid bridge between the liquid donor and acceptor surfaces, resulting in a relatively complex process and low printing efficiency (typically limited to several Hertz). Here, we propose a novel contact printing method based on the meniscus vibration (MVCP). A tubular piezoelectric dispenser is employed as the liquid donor, with the acceptor surface positioned at a distance of several tens of micrometers from the nozzle. By modulating the waveform of the driving signal, the meniscus can undergo controlled extrusion and withdrawal, enabling the precise formation and breakup of the liquid bridge. Experimental results indicate that MVCP offers advantages such as a simplified process, high printing frequency (several tens of Hertz), and droplet sizes smaller than the nozzle diameter. A combined approach of experimental research, numerical simulation, and mechanics analysis was used to systematically investigate the mechanisms of meniscus vibration, liquid bridge formation, and breakup. The findings indicate that the performance of the MVCP is strongly influenced by the hydrophilicity of the acceptor surface as well as the vibration amplitude of the meniscus. Additionally, an on-demand printing strategy for low-viscosity inks was developed, demonstrating MVCP’s potential for high-resolution printing and providing a foundational basis for its further development and application.