10/23/2026
Researchers have developed a new way to print onto surfaces while overcoming one of the metal's longstanding challenges: oxidation and corrosion.
A team led by researchers at the University of Maryland, Yale University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory created a reactive "ink" that produces conductive copper at relatively low temperatures. In testing, the printed copper remained intact even after six months submerged in seawater.
Their research could open new possibilities for manufacturing electronic circuits while reducing reliance on more expensive metals like silver.
A new invention from a team that includes a University of Maryland engineer halts the copper degradation cycle that turns statues, roofs, and even nickels green. The researchers have developed a liquid reactive ink that can print copper onto nearly any surface without oxidation or corrosion.
