Yu Jichuan, Hu Chuxiong, Wang Ze, Wei Yuankong, Liu Zhijin, Li Qingang, Zhang Lei, Tan Qiulin, Zang Xining
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
Beijing Key Laboratory of Precision/Ultra-Precision Manufacture Equipments and Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023 Nov;10(31):e2302479. doi: 10.1002/advs.202302479. Epub 2023 Aug 6.
Refractory metals offer exceptional benefits for high temperature electronics including high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance and excellent mechanical strength, while their high melting temperature and poor processibility poses challenges to manufacturing. Here this work reports a direct ink writing and tar-mediated laser sintering (DIW-TMLS) technique to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) refractory metal devices for high temperature applications. Metallic inks with high viscosity and enhanced light absorbance are designed by utilizing coal tar as binder. The printed patterns are sintered into oxidation-free porous metallic structures using a low-power (<10 W) laser in ambient environment, and 3D freestanding architectures can be rapidly fabricated by one step. Several applications are presented, including a fractal pattern-based strain gauge, an electrically small antenna (ESA) patterned on a hemisphere, and a wireless temperature sensor that can work up to 350 °C and withstand burning flames. The DIW-TMLS technique paves a viable route for rapid patterning of various metal materials with wide applicability, high flexibility, and 3D conformability, expanding the possibilities of harsh environment sensors.
难熔金属为高温电子学带来了诸多卓越优势，包括耐高温、耐腐蚀以及出色的机械强度，然而其高熔点和较差的加工性能给制造带来了挑战。在此，本工作报道了一种直接墨水书写与焦油介导激光烧结（DIW-TMLS）技术，用于制造适用于高温应用的三维（3D）难熔金属器件。通过利用煤焦油作为粘结剂，设计出了具有高粘度和增强吸光率的金属墨水。在环境气氛中，使用低功率（<10 W）激光将印刷图案烧结成无氧化的多孔金属结构，一步即可快速制造出3D独立结构。展示了几种应用，包括基于分形图案的应变计、半球形上图案化的电小天线（ESA）以及可在高达350°C下工作并耐受燃烧火焰的无线温度传感器。DIW-TMLS技术为各种金属材料的快速图案化铺平了一条可行的道路，具有广泛的适用性、高灵活性和3D适形性，拓展了恶劣环境传感器的可能性。
