ZeroValent Nanometals is a start-up working out of RIT’s Advanced Manufacturing and Multifunctional Print Center in Institute Hall. ZeroValent is exploring the chemistry and temperature condition under which we can reduce Cu2+ ions to the pure metallic Cu state (and other earth-abundant metals) and control the reactivity of the resultant 2 nm cluster of atoms (~ 200 atoms). The end goal is to develop a commercially viable copper-based, conductive ink. This has deep and wide-ranging implications for printed electronics.
Working as a part-time lab technician and development engineer I conducted reactions in small 20 ml scintillation vials to produce these clusters and then characterized them based on particle size, stability at room temperature, inkjet printability, and sintering properties. My major contributions to the group were in new formulation development, a comprehensive ligand optimization study and a heat of addition study. I presented my research at the RIT Honors Symposium in December of 2017. In 2018 I also took on responsibilities in print testing and imaging diagnostics.
