Inkjet printed optically variable devices on a polymer substrate patterned with nanopillar array structural pixels

We present a novel technology to inkjet print optically variable devices and color images using nanostructures as pixels. In our unique technology, we use a nanosubstrate, a polymer substrate patterned with different types of nanopillar arrays as structural pixels that give red, green and blue primary colors. Nanosubstrates are replicated from a prefabricated stamp using nanoimprint lithography. On the nanosubstrate surface, we inkjet print silver ink to selectively activate pixels to achieve color mixing. Experimental results prove that any color pattern with up to 64 different colors can be readily printed. The printed samples demonstrate unique optically variable effects.