Designing IR Imaging Devices Using An Inkjet Printing System

Abstract

Thermal imaging devices and sensors are used in a variety of different fields, such as in cybersecurity. These devices are commonly made with semiconductors and pyroelectric materials. In some field and applications, a device may be needed in order to detect electromagnetic radiation. One method that has yet to be looked at extensively for creating imaging devices is inkjet printing. Inkjet printing involves the use of a nozzle or jet head to deposit ink onto a substrate in order to build a structure. In this study, an inkjet printing system was tested and used to fabricate a resistive thermal imaging device that is much smaller and simpler in design than traditional imaging devices. The imaging device was created using a conductive polymer rather than traditional manufacturing materials for thermal imaging devices. The sensitivity of the imaging device was analyzed under different environments in order to see how the performance of the device can be optimized.