Work

Laser-assisted direct ink writing of planar and 3D metal architectures

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: The ability to pattern planar and freestanding 3D metallic architectures at the microscale would enable myriad applications, including flexible electronics, displays, sensors, and electrically small antennas. A 3D printing method is introduced that combines direct ink writing with a focused laser that locally anneals printed metallic features "on-the-fly." To optimize the nozzle-to-laser separation distance, the heat transfer along the printed silver wire is modeled as a function of printing speed, laser intensity, and pulse duration. Laser-assisted direct ink writing is used to pattern highly conductive, ductile metallic interconnects, springs, and freestanding spiral architectures on flexible and rigid substrates.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1525131113

Authors: Mark A. Skylar-Scott, Suman Gunasekaran, Jennifer A. Lewis

Institutions: Harvard University, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering

Language: English

Topic: Nanomaterials and Printing Technologies

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Keysight Technologies

Award: NEW; LIGHT-MATERIAL INTERACTIONS IN ENERGY CONVERSION -- EFRC; PI - HARRY ATWATER