The mathematical equation featured above denotes the "capillary strength of a meniscus." A meniscus, in the context of inkjet printing, refers to the curve in the surface of the ink produced in response to printhead nozzle chamber. Capillary action acts on concave menisci to pull the liquid up, and on convex menisci to pull the liquid down.
This equation, as well as other elements of fluid dynamics and physics, was typical of the early research performed by Silverbrook Research, leading to the development of the Memjet technology you see today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meniscus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid_dynamics...
Both electro-photography (laser) and thermal inkjet technologies were invented in 1976 and first commercialized for home and office customers in 1984, providing valuable breakthroughs vs. the dot matrix printing solutions of the day. Today, we are on the brink of the next breakthrough in the business and technology of printing and imaging. While traditional inkjet and laser technologies have evolved over 25 years to provide more value, Memjet is the first technology to deliver quality color printing and high performance with affordable printing costs. Memjet is the first technology to deliver high speed color, with low costs and in a variety of sizes. The Memjet technology is based on the basic principles of thermal inkjet, but assembled into a unique pagewidth printing system that enables fast color page printers that exceed the performance of many higher cost printing systems. Whether you believe Memjet technology brings together the best of inkjet and laser or creates completely new value, Memjet represents an exciting new generation of printing technology.
Starting in 1994, with a small team of scientists near Sydney, Australia, Silverbrook Research spent its early years creating the basic operating principles for the Memjet technology. Silverbrook believed that the ultimate printing technology required print quality better than human vision, low -cost hardware and running costs, breakthrough speed, low power, a small portable size, the ability to print quietly and odorlessly without vibration, and the ability to scale from very small to very large systems. Based on these principles, Silverbrook created a new technology branch based on the characteristics of page-wide printing, ink-based printheads, single-pass printing, 1600 dpi quality (better than human vision), 1 pico-liter drop sizes, and a minimum of 54,400 nozzles per A4/letter sized printhead (8.5 inches x 1600 drops per inch). Achieving low cost implied leveraging known, high-volume CMOS manufacturing techniques that could accommodate the 54,400 wires and low voltage needed to drive a A4/letter printhead. After more than 50 different drop firing operating principles were investigated, including "thermal bubble" and other mechanical MEMS approaches, Silverbrook narrowed their approach down to a handful of choices and spent the next significant effort simulating drop-ejection physics and other key elements to hone their approach.
Fabricating and testing early silicon designs produced another level of challenges and accomplishments, including having to create custom manufacturing processes to formulate their unique MEMS designs. Through a partnership with TSMC, Silverbrook Research fabricated and tested over 1,000 different nozzle designs in order to arrive at the few that could meet their requirements for performance, power, stability, drop ejection, longevity, yield and other characteristics.
As the silicon designs became stable the next transition was to develop a system of components (printheads, controller chips, ink and software) all designed to work together as a printing system. The first demonstration systems using these components were first viewed publicly in March 2007. In 2009, these components are available to OEM brands and technology partners working on Memjet based printing and imaging devices. Soon, the first commercialized devices with Memjet technology will reach end customers through OEM brands.
With over 2,000 patents granted, Kia Silverbrook is the most prolific patent holder in the world. Self educated, his roots in technology began in the 1970's with music synthesization and transitioned to printing and imaging during his role as Managing Director of CiSRA - Canon's Information Systems Research Austrialia in the early 1990's. Kia started working on the Memjet technology concept with a handful of Ph.D. scientists and imaging experts in 1994 as president and co-founder of Silverbrook Research. Now Silverbrook Research employs over 500 scientists, engineers and support staff. They are the developers of Memjet as well as other technologies.
While the significance of the Memjet technology on the photo retail environments may not be verified for years to come, the potential emanates from breakthroughs in technology as well as the unique business approach delivered by Memjet Photo Retail and its partners.
Since Memjet research and development began in 1994, with over 4,000 related patents submitted, the Memjet technology is now ready for commercialization. The technology enables unparalleled improvements in color printing price-performance leading to compelling, new printing and imaging choices for photo retail customers. More powerful and capable than traditional scanning inkjet devices and more affordable, convenient and fast than color laser technology, we believe that Memjet has the potential to become the dominant new technology choice in the photo retail arena for years to come.
While the technology breakthrough is critical, the Memjet companies were founded on the premise that market success could be achieved most swiftly and effectively through collaboration; by delivering the technology to a few, well chosen, capable and motivated brand partners and by partnering with manufacturers and other technology and business partners with experience in the printing and imaging market. To existing printing and imaging brands, Memjet offers a new technology choice and an opportunity for growth and differentiation vs. existing ink and laser technologies. To new printing and imaging brands, Memjet offers a profitable path into the printing and imaging market, previously blocked by high barriers to entry and lack of differentiation. To Memjet Photo Retail, the right brands provide the power and credibility of their brand names, established distribution channels and company assets.
Although the story of the Memjet technology is in early chapters, we aspire to change the world of printing and imaging for the better by delivering valuable new technology, inspiring the creativity of partners and ultimately delivering compelling value to the final decision makers, the photo retail customers. While proud of our achievements and progress over the last 15 years, we find ourselves at the beginning of an exciting new printing and imaging business and look forward to what the future holds.