Ag Layer Research Articles

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) leads to enhanced performance of silica-silver based plasmonic sensor for colorectal cancer detection under optimum radiation damping

Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) possesses large refractive index and transparent behaviour in a broad spectral range from ultraviolet to infrared. These properties of Si3N4 facilitate an efficient light-matter interaction leading to enhanced light confinement. In this work, we have investigated Si3N4-based plasmonic sensor for pathogenic colorectal tissues detection at a wavelength of 1000 nm. The sensor structure consists of fused silica prism and Ag–Si3N4 heterojunction. The figure-of-merit (FOM) of the sensor is optimized by judiciously coordinating the thickness of Ag layer (dM) and Si3N4 layer (dA) under optimum radiation damping (ORD). An optimized FOM as high as 6011 RIU−1 (at dM = 47.3 nm) has been achieved corresponding to dA = 8.6 nm under ORD. At ORD, the corresponding power loss ratio (PLR) is as high as 2.773, and the normalized electric field enhancement factor (FEF) is about 1.06. The magnitude of combined performance factor (CPF), which is the product of FOM, PLR and FEF, of the proposed sensor is as large as 17668.61 RIU−1. The proposed application of Si3N4 in plasmonic sensor in combination with ORD condition leads to substantially enhanced sensing performance and has been explored for the first time to the best of our knowledge.

Enhanced Durability and Antireflective Performance of Ag-Based Transparent Conductors Achieved via Controlled N-Doping.

Ag-based transparent conductors (TCs) are often proposed as an alternative to ITO coatings. However, while their performance has been widely demonstrated, their environmental durability is frequently overlooked or addressed with the use of highly specific encapsulating layers. In this work, the durability and antireflective performance of Ag-based TCs are simultaneously enhanced. To do so, a transfer matrix modeling approach is used to determine the general requirements for high performance antireflective properties as a function of Ag thickness and dielectric refractive indices, offering more widely applicable insight into stack optimization. Coating durability is investigated as a function of the Ag microstructure, which is modified by altering the N2 concentration used for doping of the Ag layer and the selection of the seed layer. Increasing N2 concentration during Ag deposition was found to decrease grain size and durability of Ag coatings deposited on Si3N4 whereas all coatings on ZnO(Al) showed higher stability. Significantly higher durability is found when specifically combining intermediate N2 concentrations in the sputtering gas mixture (Ag(N):5%, compared to 0% and 50%) and a ZnO(Al) seed layer, and a mechanism accounting for this increased durability is proposed. The addition of NiCrNx protective coatings increases the system durability without altering these trends. These findings are combined to fabricate a highly performant Ag-based TC (TV = 89.2%, RVFS = 0.23%, 21.4 Ω), which shows minimal property changes following corrosion testing by immersion in a heated and highly concentrated aqueous NaCl solution (200 g/L, 50 °C).

Transparent dielectric/metal/dielectric multilayer microstrip patch antennas for X and Ku-band

Optically transparent antennas are in high demand due to their critical role in healthcare, automotive and industrial sectors. These antennas face challenges in adjusting thickness for high optical transparency and also high conductivity for enhanced antenna characteristics. We mitigate the trade-off between optical transparency and antenna performance by pioneering the introduction of multiple sandwich structures in optically transparent antennas, for the first time in the literature, to the best of our knowledge. Three transparent multilayer antenna structures are designed as a rectangular patch antenna and fabricated on polycarbonate substrates. The multilayer structure consists of Ag layers sandwiched between layers of TiOx, SixNy, and ZnAlOx. Fabrication of the multilayer structures are verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optical transparencies of 85%, 73%, and 68% are achieved at a wavelength of 550 nm for one, two, and three layers of Ag, respectively. Scattering parameters and radiation patterns of the antennas are measured and simulated. For the antenna including triple dielectric/Ag/dielectric sandwich structure; peak gain, directivity and efficiency are obtained as 3.013 dBi, 8.072 dBi, and 37.5%, respectively. The agreement between measurements and simulations, together with the antenna performances obtained, validates our novel transparent antenna design.

DMSO-mediated ag lateral coated Au nanobipyramids: Ultrafast colormetric detection platform for Fe3+ with uniform etching

Colorimetric detection by etching based on metal nanoparticles is one of the most commonly portable detection methods, but there are problems such as poor particle controllability and irregular etching. In this paper, a novel Ag lateral coated Au nanobipyramids nanostructure (Au@Ag LCNBPs) for multi-colorimetric detection of Fe3+ is prepared through the mediation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). When DMSO is used to cover the surface of Au nanobipyramids (Au NBPs), it greatly affects the way Ag coated Au NBPs. When the volume ratio of DMSO is 25%, Ag is no longer deposited at the tip, but gradually deposited on the side of the Au NBPs to form the Au@Ag LCNBPs. The long axis cross-section of the Au@Ag LCNBPs takes the shape of a hexagon. As the Ag content increases, the width of the Ag layer gradually increases, the cross-section gradually converts to a positive hexagonal shape, and the aspect ratio of the whole structure decreases, leading to the blueshift of the longitudinal LSPR peak. This mode of deposition is different from the longitudinal deposition reported in the previous literature. A multi-colorimetric detection method for Fe3+ using the etching of the Ag layer by Au@Ag LCNBPs has been developed. This method exhibits a good exponential correlation in the concentration range of 1–210 μM with the detection limit of 200 nM. With the increase of Fe3+, the colloid color shows the change of yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green and colorless. The etching process can be completed in about 30 s. This nanostructure achieves two etching modes of the Ag layer by Fe3+, uniform etching and concave etching. Moreover, it demonstrates that the enormous potential of Au@Ag LCNBPs in colorimetric etching detection.

Reliability of micro-resistance welded dissimilar connection between Ag-plated Kovar foil and GaAs space solar cell: Processing, microstructure and bonding strength

Solar panels in low earth orbit (LEO) can suffer from damage caused by atomic oxygen (AO) exposure and thermal shock, which may shorten the service life of their interconnectors and joints. Ag-plated Kovar foil has emerged as a promising material for interconnecting solar cell arrays. This study uses parallel gap resistance welding (PGRW) to conduct ultrafast Ag-plated Kovar foil and solar cell bonding in just 190 ms. The bonding strength depends on the current densities, with a diffused interface observed at a density of 475 A/mm2. The EBSD results show that grains of Ag layer and Au layer grow at the central bonding interface, whereas grains of Ag layer and Au layer form a weakened bonded line at the edge bonding interface. The thermal reliability of joints with Ag-plated Kovar foil is better than traditional Ag foil, with no decline in tensile-shear force observed even after multiple thermal cycles. Although the Ag layer of Kovar foil oxidizes as AgO and Ag2O in an AO environment, the joining interface remains unaffected. This investigation into PGRW joints of Ag-plated Kovar foil is critical for enhancing the high reliability of solar arrays in harsh temperatures and AO space environments.

A Cu-Ag double-layer coating strategy for stable and reversible Zn metal anodes

Structuring a stable artificial coating to mitigate dendrite growth and side reactions is an effective strategy for protecting the Zn metal anode. Herein, a Cu-Ag double-layer metal coating is constructed on the Zn anode (Zn@Cu-Ag) by simple and in-situ displacement reactions. The Cu layer enhances the bond between the Ag layer and Zn substrate by acting as an intermediary, preventing the Ag coating from detachment. Concurrently, the Ag layer serves to improve the corrosion resistance of Cu metal. During plating, the initial Cu sheets and Ag particles on the surface of Zn@Cu-Ag electrode gradually transform into a flat and smooth layer, resulting in the formation of AgZn, AgZn3, and (Ag, Cu)Zn4 alloys. Alloys play a multifunctional role in inhibiting dendrite growth and side reactions due to decreased resistance, low nucleation barrier, enhanced zincophilicity, and strong corrosion resistance. Consequently, the Zn@Cu-Ag symmetric cell exhibits continuous stable performance for 3750 h at 1 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the Zn@Cu-Ag||Zn3V3O8 full cell achieves an initial capacity of 293.4 mAh g−1 and realizes long cycling stability over 1200 cycles. This work provides new insight into the engineering of an efficient artificial interface for highly stable and reversible Zn metal anodes.

Thermochromic Nanocellulose Films for Temperature-Adaptive Passive Cooling.

Energy efficiency in habitation spaces is a pivotal topic for maintaining energy sufficiency, cutting climate impact, and facilitating economic savings; thus, there is a critical need for solutions aimed at tackling this problem. One viable approach involves complementing active cooling methods with powerless or passive cooling ones. Moreover, considerable scope remains for the development of passive radiative cooling solutions based on sustainable materials. Cellulose, characterized by its abundance, renewability, and biodegradability, emerges as a promising material for this purpose due to its notable radiative cooling potential exploiting the mid-infrared (MIR) atmospheric transmission window (8-13 μm). In this work, we propose the utilization of thermochromic (TC) materials in conjunction with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) to confer temperature-dependent adaptivity to hybrid CNF films. We employ a concept where high reflection, coupled with MIR emission in the heated state, facilitates cooling, while high visible light absorption in the cold state allows heating, thus enabling adaptive thermal regulation. CNF films were doped with black-to-leuco TC particles, and a thin silver layer was optionally applied to the films. The films exhibited a rapid transition (within 1 s) in their optical properties at ∼22 °C, becoming transparent above the transition temperature. Visible range transmittance of all samples ranged from 60 to 90%, with pronounced absorption in the 8-13 μm range. The cooling potential of the films was measured at 1-4 °C without any Ag layer and ∼10 °C with a Ag layer. In outdoor field testing, a peak cooling value of 12 °C was achieved during bright sunshine, which is comparable to a commercial solar film. A simulation model was also built based on the experimental results. The concept presented in this study extends beyond applications as standalone films but has applicability also in glass coatings. Overall, this work opens the door for a novel application opportunity for green cellulose-based materials.

Highly sensitive ZnO/Ag/BaTiO3/MoS2 hybrid structure-based surface plasmon biosensor for the detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria

This study presents a novel biosensor utilizing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology, comprising og zinc oxide (ZnO), silver (Ag), barium titanate (BaTiO3), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). The detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria was accomplished through the utilization of the hybrid structure. The transfer matrix method (TMM) and finite element method are employed to analyze the suggested surface plasmon resonance (SPR) structure. A comparative analysis has been conducted to evaluate the angular sensitivity between normal blood samples (NBS) and cells affected by tuberculosis (TB). The optimization of the performance of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) structure involves adjusting the thickness of ZnO, Ag and BaTiO3 layer. The accurate measurement of the full width at half maximum (FWHM), detection accuracy (DA), quality factor and figure of merits (FOM) has also been conducted. The optimal angular sensitivity has been determined to be 10 nm for ZnO, 40 nm for Ag, 1.5 nm for BaTiO3, and one layer of MoS2 with a sensitivity of 525 deg./RIU. Additionally, this study compared the effects on sensitivity of two dimensional materials graphene, WS2 and MoS2. In contrast to the currently available biosensor utilizing surface plasmon resonance (SPR), the suggested structure exhibits higher angular sensitivity. Due to its improved sensitivity, the biosensor under consideration exhibits potential for detecting a wide range of biological analytes and organic compounds.

Atmospheric pressure plasma jet: Green technology advancements for metals deposition potential

This study explored the utilization of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) for the deposition of metal layers, employing Ar + 2 % H2 as the working gas. The research focuses on three distinct metals - silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni). Through the application of optical emission spectroscopy, significant peaks of Ar-related and hydrogen-alpha (Hα) species are observed, accompanied by atomic characteristic emission lines specific to Ag, Cu, and Ni, respectively. The XRD examination indicates the successful deposition of metal layers onto the substrates, a confirmation supported by the EDS line scan. Examination of the surface morphology reveals that the metal particles have clustered together, creating a porous structure. The resistivity measurement obtains the values of 5.18, 3.81, and 9.21 μΩ-cm for Ag, Cu, and Ni layers, respectively. Moreover, the paper presents a proposed mechanism for depositing metallic conductive layers using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ), elucidating the complex processes inherent in this novel technique.

Insights into precipitation characteristics and strengthening mechanisms in a low Cu/Mg ratio Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy

Using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, a new fully coherent precipitate platelet designated X′′, with a flexible atomic layer FCC structure, was identified in a low Cu/Mg ratio Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy. The emergence of the X′′ phase is primarily attributed to the preferential segregation behavior of Mg and Cu atoms towards the {111}α Ag layers. The strengthening mechanism of the X′′ phase is principally driven by the coherency strengthening, yielding efficient reinforcement (99.8 MPa increment per 1 % volume fraction). After dislocation cutting, the X′′ phase maintains coherence with the matrix, minimizing local strain accumulation at the interface. The mechanical tests show that the alloy with the precipitated X′′ phase, despite its lower strength compared to the alloy with the precipitated Ω phase, exhibits superior ductility and work hardening. The study holds promising implications for designing novel Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys with a desirable strength-ductility balance.

Asymmetric sandwiched nanofibrillated cellulose composites prepared by one-pot vacuum filtration for ultrahigh electromagnetic interference shielding

High-efficiency electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite films (EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) value > 100 dB) with a small thickness are imminently desired for eliminating the serious electromagnetic wave pollution. Herein, asymmetric sandwiched silver-coated four-needle zinc oxide whisker/nanofibrillated cellulose/Ti3C2Tx (F-ZnO&Ag/NFC/Ti3C2Tx) composite films consisting of the loose F-ZnO&Ag sedimentary layer and compact upper Ti3C2Tx layer were successful fabricated by a facile one-pot vacuum filtration method in combination with gravity-induced delamination. Arising from the favorable electrical conductivity and unique asymmetric sandwich structure, electromagnetic waves can be trapped and dissipated in the F-ZnO&Ag skeletons and strongly multiply reflected between top Ti3C2Tx layer and bottom F-ZnO&Ag layers. Thereby, F-ZnO&Ag/NFC/Ti3C2Tx-30.4 exhibits the ultrahigh averaged EMI SET of 103.9 dB (the maximal value of 123.8 dB) at a low thickness of merely 209 μm, which is far superior to that of almost all the reported NFC composites at the similar thickness to date. In the real EMI shielding application test, composite films are confirmed to block signal transmission and switch off the toy car system. Such simple and high-efficiency asymmetric sandwich structure design makes a great progress towards preparing and adjusting thin EMI shielding composite films for the promising application prospects in advanced electronics and communication technology.

Development of an arrayed ultrasonic sensor using surface plasmon resonance (SPR)

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) ultrasonic sensors are non-resonant and expected to show flat frequency response over a wide frequency range. Then, the sensors seem suitable for the detection of photoacoustic waves. We have developed a simple glass prism SPR sensor with thin Ag layer (deposited by an electron beam evaporator) and checked the frequency response as a function of Ag area diameter. The diameter of 1 mm was sufficient to obtain better frequency response than that of the calibrated needle transducer in the range of 2.5 to 7.0 MHz. By covering a very thin Au film on the Ag layer, we succeeded in longer working time (>6 months) of the sensor. An array-type SPR sensor (5 × 5, diameter of each sensor 1 mm) has also been fabricated to evaluate pressure distribution of ultrasonic waves. The response of each sensor was similar, telling the high reproducibility of the sensor fabrication.

Multifunctional Ag-decorated core-shell heterojunction of red phosphorus/silicon carbide nanowires for highly sensitive SERS-based monitoring of ibrutinib

In this work, an innovative kind of red phosphorus (RP)-encapsulated silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires (NWs) with interface heterojunctions were developed through a conventional Muffle calcination strategy. After being decorated with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with the help of an ion sputtering technique, a hybrid surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on SiC@RP@Ag NWs was prepared and applied in the clinical monitoring of ibrutinib. The powerful “hotspots” region was demonstrated by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation to extensively distribute on the surface Ag layer, which triggered significant electromagnetic enhancement. Moreover, the separation and transfer of charge carrier with high efficiency rendered the substrate a supplementary chemical enhancement ascribed to the appropriate energy level of the heterojunction structure. Henceforth, the lowest limit of detection for ibrutinib was found to reach 7.58 × 10−8 mg/mL. Ultimately, the real-time SERS diagnostic of ibrutinib in serum samples demonstrated relative low deviation, not exceeding 6.6%. The hybrid SERS substrate based on SiC@RP@Ag NWs provides more possibilities for clinical drug diagnostics.

Characterization of Thin AlN/Ag/AlN-Reflector Stacks on Glass Substrates for MEMS Applications

Thin metal layers such as silver (Ag) are being utilized for various optical and plasmonic applications as well as for electrical purposes, e.g., as transparent electrodes in display devices or solar cells. This paper focuses on optical MEMS applications such as the Fabry–Pérot interferometer (FPI). Within such filters, reflector materials such as distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) or subwavelength gratings (SWGs) have been widely used so far, whereas metallic thin films (MTFs) were limited in application due to their comparatively higher absorption. In this paper, thin sputtered Ag layers with thicknesses of 20, 40 and 60 nm on glass substrates have been investigated, and it is shown that the absorption is very low in the visible spectral range (VIS) and increases only in near-infrared (NIR) with increasing wavelength. Thus, we consider Ag-thin layers to be an interesting reflector material at least for the VIS range, which can be easily fabricated and integrated. However, Ag is not inert and stable when exposed to the atmosphere. Hence, it needs a passivation material. For this purpose, AlN has been chosen in this contribution, which can be deposited by sputtering as well. In this contribution, we have chosen thin AlN layers for this purpose, which can also be deposited by sputtering. Thus, various AlN/Ag/AlN-reflector stacks were created and patterned by lift-off technology preferably. The fabricated reflectors were characterized with respect to adhesion, stress, cohesion, homogeneity, and most importantly, their optical properties. It was found that the thickness of the AlN can be used to adjust the reflectance–transmittance ratio in the VIS range, and influences the adsorption in the NIR range as well. Based on the measured values of the reflectors with 40 nm Ag, an exemplary transmission filter characteristics has been predicted for a wavelength range from 400 to 800 nm. Both the maximum transmittance and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) can be tuned by variation of the AlN thickness from 20 to 60 nm.

Unlocking the True Power of Additive Manufacturing for EMI Shielding

Miniaturization trends in electronic packaging led to reduced spacing of individual packages on the printed circuit boards and thus increased the overall electromagnetic interference (EMI) levels within a device. State-of-the-art conformal coatings as EMI shielding layers are typically applied via sputter technology and offer design limitations with respect to coating selectivity on individual positions of the overall package. Our new technology of additively Ag layer application via inkjet printing overcomes today’s design limitations and is key enabler for next generations packaging designs. In this study, we compare the shielding effectiveness (S.E.) on specifically designed transmission line emitter samples coated with state-of-the-art sputtered conformal layers against silver coatings applied via inkjet printing of particle free metal organic decomposition inks to evaluate the new technology for its potential on package level shielding performance. Mechanical and electrical characterization of the silver coatings indicate appropriate tools to specify layer characteristics and ensure S.E. of 40 dB or higher at frequencies of 800 MHz and higher. The suitability of our well-tailored silver coatings to match typical S.E. requirements is shown with even much thinner layer thickness as compared to state-of-the-art coatings.

Tunable Microwave Absorbing Devices Enabled by Reversible Metal Electrodeposition.

Tunable microwave absorbers have gained significant interest due to their capability to actively control microwaves. However, the existing architecture-change-based approach lacks flexibility, and the active-element-based approach is constrained by a narrowband operation or small dynamic modulation range. Here, a novel electrically tunable microwave absorbing device (TMAD) is demonstrated that can achieve dynamic tuning of the average reflection amplitude between -13.0 and -1.2 dB over a broadband range of 8-18 GHz enabled by reversible metal electrodeposition. This reversible tunability is achieved by electrodepositing silver (Ag) layers with controlled morphology on nanoscopic platinum (Pt) films in a device structure similar to a tunable Salisbury screen, employing Ag electrodeposited on Pt films as the modifiable resistive layer. Furthermore, this TMAD possesses a simple device architecture, excellent bistability, and multispectral compatibility. Our approach offers a new strategy for dynamically manipulating microwaves, which has potential utility in intelligent camouflage and communication systems.

Microstructure Evolution and Online Thermal Resistance of Ag Sintered SiC/DBA Power Module During Power Cycling

With the increasing power and miniaturization of power electronics, the power cycling reliability and thermal management of power modules have become increasingly crucial. To address this issue, our Lab. has developed a novel instrument that allows simultaneous power cycling and real-time thermal resistance measurement. Utilizing this specific instrument, we investigated the microstructural evolution of the die attachment layer during power cycling and monitored the real-time thermal resistance of the SiC-TEG (Silicon Carbide-Thermal Engineering Group) heater chip/sintered Ag/DBA (Directed Bonded Aluminum with ceramic core of Si3N4) structure. Additionally, strategies to improve the degradation of the microstructure were proposed. The results indicate that after 10000 power cycles, numerous cracks were observed in the sintered Ag layer. However, the addition of 5 wt. % A1 suppressed the generation of cracks significantly. The addition of A1 particles has little effect on the transient thermal resistance during power cycling.

Extreme Dewetting Resistance and Improved Visible Transmission of Ag Layers Using Sub-Nanometer Ti Capping Layers.

As technology development drives the thickness of thin film depositions down into the nano regime, understanding and controlling the dewetting of thin films has become essential for many applications. The dewetting of ultra-thin Ag (9 nm) films with Ti (0.5 nm) adhesion and capping layers on glass substrates was investigated in this work. Various thin film stacks were created using magnetron sputtering and were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-rays, Vis/IR spectrometry, and four four-point probe resistivity measurements. Upon annealing for 5 h in air at 250 °C, the addition of a 0.5 nm thick Ti capping layer reduced the dewet area by an order of magnitude. This is reflected in film resistivity, which remained 2 orders of magnitude lower than uncapped variants. This Ti/Ag/Ti structure was then deployed in a typical low-emissivity window coating structure with additional antireflective layers of AZO, resulting in a superior performance upon annealing. These results demonstrate an easy, manufacturable process that improves the longevity of devices and products containing thin Ag films.

Comparative study of homoepitaxial Au (111) and Ag (111) layers: Insights from DFT simulations

Density Functional Theory (DFT) was employed for the first time in the investigation of Single-layer Nano islands on Ag (111) and Au (111) substrates. This study entailed performing first-principles calculations to assess their electronic and optical characteristics using the ab-initio approach with the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method. The results suggest that Single-layer Nano islands on Ag (111) and Au (111) surfaces exhibit considerable possibility for a range of technical uses, Due to their distinct chemical traits and metallic aspects, such as electrical conductivity. A systematic and comprehensive examination of these structures provides insights into their properties, enabling the exploration of new configurations for technological requirements. In this research paper, we offer a comprehensive analysis of the structural, electronic, and optical features of the newly projected Single-layer Nano islands on Ag (111) and Au (111) surfaces. We compare our findings with first-principles density functional theory. Additionally, we investigate the density of states in the material to figure out the atomic and orbital causes of electronic states. The analysis of the band structure and electronic properties reveals that the valence and conduction bands are predominantly influenced by Ag (111)/Ag (111)–s, Ag (111)/Ag (111)–d orbitals and Ag (111)/Ag (111)–p, Au (111)/Au (111)–p orbitals, respectively around the Fermi level. The Fermi surfaces of two distinct materials are characterized by the presence of three sheets, each populated by both electron and hole states. To investigate the bonding characteristics of these materials, an examination of electronic charge density within the (111) crystallographic planes is undertaken. This analysis reveals the presence of covalent bonding between Ag-Ag and Au-Au atoms. By looking at the dielectric function and associated optical features, such as conductivity, extinction coefficient, refractive index, energy loss function, and reflectivity throughout an energy range of 0 to 14 eV, optical properties are calculated. These materials may be suitable for use in optoelectronic devices, according to research into their optical properties.

Inkjet printing P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) actuators for large bending strains

Additive manufacturing of sensors and actuators together with structural materials and electronics will make it possible to fabricate innovative system designs that are overly laborious to realise with conventional methods. While printing of the structural materials and electronics are advancing fast, the additive manufacturing methods for actuators and sensors are in an earlier stage of development. This research will develop a manufacturing process for entirely inkjet printed electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators basing on the P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) relaxor ferroelectric polymer and Ag electrodes. The process consists of (1) printing an Ag layer on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate for the bottom electrode; (2) formulating, printing and annealing a P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) ink for the EAP layer; and (3) printing and sintering an Ag layer on the plasma-treated EAP surface to form the top electrode. Two actuator variations, addressed as DMC and KM512, are manufactured and characterised by their: (a) response to quasi-static excitation (1 Hz sine wave); (b) hysteresis behaviour; (c) actuation amplitude variation with the input voltage; and (d) frequency response. The 18 mm long actuators showed 91.4 µm (DMC, 200 Vpp ) and 224 µm (KM512, 275 Vpp ) deflections in response to 1 Hz sinusoidal excitation, and 1.10 mm (DMC, 113 Hz, 200 Vpp ) and 1.72 mm (KM512, 114 Hz, 200 Vpp ) deflections in resonant operation. It is 55% more quasi-static strain and 470% more resonant strain than in earlier fully inkjet-printed polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) -based actuators, and comparable to similar partially inkjet-printed actuators. This is the first time that inkjet printing of all three layers of a relaxor ferroelectric actuator have been achieved.