URBANA, IL – University of Illinois research scientists have designed a roller ball pen using real silver ink to draw functioning circuit boards.

The team says the ink is flexible in a way not previously seen; they are able to sketch electrical circuits on paper, wood and other flexible surfaces. The researchers have also been able to add components to a hand-drawn circuit, including LED lights and a battery.

When the ink dries, it leaves conductive silver pathways and maintains conductivity through multiple bends and folds.

Freestyle conductive pathways enable new low-cost possibilities in disposable electronics and folded 3-D devices.

The researchers expect to expand the inks to enable writing of other electronic and ionically conductive materials.

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