Improved Energy Efficiency of Laser-Enhanced Nanoparticle Deposition System Analyzed with a Smart Power Monitoring Device

Among microscale printing processes, dry nanoparticle printing is an environment friendly process that does not require toxic chemicals. With the increasing demand for microscale printing processes, their energy efficiency is becoming crucial in terms of the sustainability. To overcome the poor adhesion problem of dry nanoparticle printing processes, a laser process is often integrated as a hybrid system to improve the printing quality. In this study, the energy efficiency of the nanoparticle deposition system (NPDS) as well as the laser-enhanced nanoparticle deposition system (L-NPDS) are assessed. A smart power monitoring device is used to measure the energy required for the operation of each component in real time. The energy consumption required for deposition is calculated using a theoretical model in order to calculate the energy efficiency of the process. The results are compared with those of other aerosol printing processes. By introducing laser energy, printing is successfully realized without requiring vacuum conditions. Therefore, the total energy efficiency increases by 3.78 times with the laser process. The recyclability of the nanoparticles is confirmed through X-ray diffraction. In summary, the NPDS process becomes more sustainable with the introduction of an auxiliary laser process.

Automated summary

Among microscale printing processes, dry nanoparticle printing is an environment friendly process that does not require toxic chemicals. A laser process is often integrated as a hybrid system to improve the printing quality and overcome the poor adhesion problem. This study assesses the energy efficiency of the nanoparticle deposition system (NPDS) and the laser-enhanced nanoparticle deposition system (L-NPDS) using real-time power monitoring and theoretical modeling. Introducing laser energy increases the total energy efficiency by 3.78 times and confirms the recyclability of the nanoparticles through X-ray diffraction.