Fabricating functional circuits on 3D freeform surfaces via intense pulsed light-induced zinc mass transfer

Ning Yi, Yuyan Gao, Antonino Lo Verso, Jia Zhu, Daniel Erdely, Cuili Xue, Robert Lavelle, Huanyu Cheng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

138 Scopus citations

Abstract

Deployment of functional circuits on a 3D freeform surface is of significant interest to wearable devices on curvilinear skin/tissue surfaces or smart Internet-of-Things with sensors on 3D objects. Here we present a new fabrication strategy that can directly print functional circuits either transient or long-lasting onto freeform surfaces by intense pulsed light-induced mass transfer of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs). The intense pulsed light can locally raise the temperature of Zn NPs to cause evaporation. Lamination of a kirigami-patterned soft semi-transparent polymer film with Zn NPs conforming to a 3D surface results in condensation of Zn NPs to form conductive yet degradable Zn patterns onto a 3D freeform surface for constructing transient electronics. Immersing the Zn patterns into a copper sulfate or silver nitrate solution can further convert the transient device to a long-lasting device with copper or silver. Functional circuits with integrated sensors and a wireless communication component on 3D glass beakers and seashells with complex surface geometries demonstrate the viability of this manufacturing strategy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)24-34
Number of pages11
JournalMaterials Today
Volume50
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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