Donor elements and processes for thermal transfer of nanoparticle layers

The invention discloses processes for thermal transfer patterning of a nanoparticle layer and a corresponding proximate portion of a carrier layer, and optionally additional transfer layers, together onto a thermal imaging receiver. The invention is useful for dry fabrication of electronic devices. Additional embodiments of the invention include multilayer thermal imaging donors comprising in layered sequence: a base film, a carrier layer and a nanoparticle layer. The carrier layer can be a dielectric or conducting layer. When the carrier layer is a dielectric layer, the base film includes a light attenuating agent in the form of a dye or pigment.