Direct-write patterning palladium colloids as a catalyst for electroless metallization for microwave composites.

Patterning of metal colloids by inkjet printing on paper is demonstrated as a precursor to electroless metallization. The development of the metal pattern is followed in terms of the conductivity and mass of the metal deposited and is shown to have critical phase behavior. The utility of this technique for large-area microscale patterning is demonstrated. Sample patterns of frequency-selective surface designs were manufactured and shown to conform to computationally modeled expectations in the microwave regime.