12th May 2021 12:19 pm 12th May 2021 12:19 pm Nottingham University and the National Physical Laboratory have found that stabiliser residue in metal nanoparticle inks inhibits conductivity in 3D-printed electronics. (left) Digital inkjet printing of inks containing metal nanoparticles with in-situ solvent evaporation (pinning). (right) Optical and chemical images of a printed layer of silver nanoparticles showing organic residues at the surface (Image: Gustavo Trindade) Inks containing metal nanoparticles (MNP) are among the most commonly-used conducive materials for 3D-printed electronics. Ink-jetting layers of MNP materials allow for design flexibility, rapid processing and 3D printing of devices such as sensors, solar panels, LED displays, transistors and smart textiles.