Liu Guifang, Li Xiangming, Qiu Yangfan, Zeng Chuanhang, Zhu Xinkai, Wang Chao, Chen Xiaoliang, Wang Chunhui, Tian Hongmiao, Shao Jinyou
Micro- and Nano-technology Research Center, State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China.
Frontier Institute of Science and Technology (FIST), 28 Xianning Road, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China.
Microsyst Nanoeng. 2024 Dec 14;10(1):191. doi: 10.1038/s41378-024-00840-z.
Conformal electronic devices on freeform surface play a critical role in the emerging smart robotics, smart skins, and integrated sensing systems. However, their functional structures such as circuits tend to tear-off, break, or crack under mechanical or thermal influence when in service, thus limiting the application reliability of conformal electronics. Herein, inspired by the tree root system, template-confined additive (TCA) printing technology was presented for reliable fabrication of robust circuits. TCA printing technology involves the penetration of adhesive into the functional material, thereby enhancing the mechanical robustness of the circuits, allowing them to maintain their electrical performance despite the presence of external damaging factors such as scratching, abrasion, folding, and high temperatures. For example, herein, the circuits could withstand mechanical abrasion at temperatures as high as 350 °C without compromising electrical properties. Benefiting from the confines of template, the printed circuits achieved resolutions of up to 300 nm, suitable for various materials such as P(VDF-TrFE), MWCNTs, and AgNPs, which enabled the multi-material self-aligned fabrication. Furthermore, the versatility of TCA printing was presented by fabricating circuits on arbitrary substrates, and realizing various devices, such as conformal temperature/humidity sensing system and epidermal ultra-thin energy storage system. These applications present the significant potential of TCA printing in fabricating intelligent devices.
自由曲面 conformal 电子器件在新兴的智能机器人、智能皮肤和集成传感系统中发挥着关键作用。然而，它们的功能结构（如电路）在使用过程中受到机械或热影响时容易撕裂、断裂或开裂，从而限制了 conformal 电子器件的应用可靠性。在此，受根系系统启发，提出了模板受限添加剂（TCA）印刷技术，用于可靠制造坚固的电路。TCA 印刷技术涉及粘合剂渗透到功能材料中，从而增强电路的机械坚固性，使其即使在存在划痕、磨损、折叠和高温等外部破坏因素的情况下仍能保持其电气性能。例如，在此，电路在高达 350°C 的温度下能够承受机械磨损而不影响电气性能。受益于模板的限制，印刷电路实现了高达 300 nm 的分辨率，适用于诸如聚（偏二氟乙烯 - 三氟乙烯）、多壁碳纳米管和银纳米颗粒等各种材料，这实现了多材料自对准制造。此外，通过在任意基板上制造电路并实现各种器件，如 conformal 温度/湿度传感系统和表皮超薄储能系统，展示了 TCA 印刷的多功能性。这些应用展示了 TCA 印刷在制造智能器件方面的巨大潜力。
