Abstract
Laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) and two-photon polymerization (TPP) have proven their abilities to produce 3D complex microstructures at an extraordinary level of sophistication. Indeed, LIFT and TPP have supported the vision of providing a whole functional laboratory at a scale that can fit in the palm of a hand. This is only possible due to the developments in manufacturing at micro- and nano-scales. In a short time, LIFT and TPP have gained popularity, from being a microfabrication innovation utilized by laser experts to become a valuable instrument in the hands of researchers and technologists performing in various research and development areas, such as electronics, medicine, and micro-fluidics. In comparison with conventional micro-manufacturing methods, LIFT and TPP can produce exceptional 3D components. To gain benefits from LIFT and TPP, in-detail comprehension of the process and the manufactured parts’ mechanical–chemical characteristics is required. This review article discusses the 3D printing perspectives by LIFT and TPP. In the case of the LIFT technique, the principle, classification of derivative methods, the importance of flyer velocity and shock wave formation, printed materials, and their properties, as well as various applications, have been discussed. For TPP, involved mechanisms, the difference between TPP and single-photon polymerization, proximity effect, printing resolution, printed material properties, and different applications have been analyzed. Besides this, future research directions for the 3D printing community are reviewed and summarized.
Highlights
Various fields have adopted three-dimensional (3D) microfabrication, including photonics, microfluidics, and tissue engineering
To highlight the need and significance of these two techniques, no author has tried to compile the components and their properties printed by Laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) and two-photon polymerization (TPP) having a wide range of materials such as polymers, metals, and nanomaterials
The results show the spectra of polyimide and stripes generated after LIFT
Summary
Various fields have adopted three-dimensional (3D) microfabrication, including photonics, microfluidics, and tissue engineering. To highlight the need and significance of these two techniques, no author has tried to compile the components and their properties printed by LIFT and TPP having a wide range of materials such as polymers, metals, and nanomaterials. This allows direct printing of multilayers in a solvent-free atmosphere, deprived of requiring any sort of shadow mask or vacuum system [35,36] This method has recently become famous as an alternative method to manufacture electronic components [37], organic transistors [38,39,40], organic diodes for light-emitting [41,42,43], micro-electro-mechanical systems [44,45], sensing devices [46,47,48,49], and biological tissue [50,51]. The efficient expansion of a laser printing method necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the physio-chemical phenomenon causing the material’s ejection and accumulation
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