Piezoelectric Inkjet-Printed Metallic Igniters

This work demonstrated printed metallic bridge wire and spark gap igniters suitable for use with energetic materials. These devices were fabricated from an aqueous dispersion of silver nanoparticles on a flexible, mesoporous substrate using a piezoelectric inkjet printer. This manufacturing process resulted in precise samples fabricated without the need for thermal curing. Geometric parameters were varied for the devices to determine the design criteria of importance and to quantify the electrical excitation needed for optimal performance. The work successfully demonstrated the integration of bridge wires and spark gaps with energetic material to produce fully printed igniters that are of practical use in applications ranging from munitions to vehicle airbags. (C) 2018 Society for Imaging Science and Technology.