Laser-Based Additive Nanomanufacturing: Rigid to Flexible Substrates

Abstract

Current printed electronics manufacturing techniques, including inkjet and aerosol jet printing, use ink to produce electronics devices. The inks are formulated with pigments, additives, and solvents, which make the inks impure. Also, small changes in the composition of the inks will result in different chemical and physical properties, which might affect the printing process as well as the final performance of the device. In addition, the ink formulations are rather complex, with a limited source of functional materials for printing functional devices. Annealing during printing or post-processing for solvent removal is another challenge of these techniques, which limit printing on low temperature and biodegradable substrates. Herein, we present a novel additive nanomanufacturing (ANM) technique compatible with a wide range of substrates for dry printing and patterning of a variety of materials, including on different rigid and flexible substrates. Bending tests show good mechanical stability and electrical conductivity, confirming the potential of ANM technique for printing different materials for flexible hybrid electronics and sensors.