Patent ID: 7341680

Claim:
A printable composition for use in forming a printed element by printing and curing, comprising: a plurality of nanostructures of a first type that, upon said printing and curing, form an arrangement defining intermediate volumes thereamong, wherein the plurality of nanostructures of the first type comprise elongate nanostructures comprising a crystalline version of a compound; a plurality of nanostructures of a second type, wherein said plurality of nanostructures of a second type are compact nanostructures that, upon said printing and curing, at least partially fill said intermediate volumes to promote smooth surface topography and reduced porosity in the printed element; a carrier solution, wherein said plurality of nanostructures of a first type and the plurality of nanostructures of a second type are suspended in said carrier solution; and a molecular precursor substantially dissolved in said carrier solution, said molecular precursor forming into a solid material interspersed with said plurality of nanostructures of a first type and said plurality of nanostructures of a second type upon said printing and curing, wherein the molecular precursor facilitates in situ growth of crystalline or polycrystalline versions of the elongate nanostructure material upon transfer to a surface in conjunction with said carrier solution.