"Minimal manufacturing" is our fundamental research concept that, through the utilization of nanotechnology, overcomes the three technological issues that in the past have been in conflict with each other—"resource conservation and energy conservation," new functions and high performance functions" and "high productivity and low cost." Applying inkjet technology to processes in the electronics industry is one link in our work towards this goal. We have developed a micron accurate inkjet system that allows the arrangement of dots with a minimum size of less than one micron. Using a nano metal paste as an ink material, we achieved the direct printing of metallic wires of only a few micrometers in width without any pre-patterning treatment of the substrate. Direct forming of three-dimensional structures anywhere on a substrate has also been demonstrated, made possible by taking advantage of the rapid drying of the small volume droplets printed. The process is simple and the entire setup can be carried out on a desktop, in an ambient environment, and at room temperature. By combining this method with advanced material and ink processing, electronic devices may eventually be manufactured not by a large factory but by small-scale equipment that can sit on a desktop.
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