Clog free inkjet printhead [abstract]

Abstract

This invention reports a novel technique for clog free inkjet printhead. The specially designed inkjet printhead prevents clogging problems in inkjet printers. The printhead does not have drying or solidifying problems and keeps printing fresh ink drops using a novel sealing mechanism. The manufacturing of current printhead designs can be modified to incorporate this mechanism. The mechanism does not require any "cleaning cycle" using strong signals, large amounts of ink and external forces, which can serious damage. Potential Areas of Applications: * Inkjet printheads * Other systems where orifice clogging of microfluidic systems is a problem such as droplet-on-demand technologies in drug discovery, genomics, and proteomics Patent Status: Non provisional patent application on file Inventor(s): Professor Jae Kwon, Ph.D. Contact Info: Dr. Wayne McDaniel, Ph.D. ; McDanielWC@missouri.edu ; 573-884-3302