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Ma J, Sa Z, Zhang H, Feng J, Wen J, Wang S, Tian Y. Microconfined Assembly of High-Resolution and Mechanically Robust EGaIn Liquid Metal Stretchable Electrodes for Wearable Electronic Systems. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2402818. [PMID: 38898769 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Stretchable electrodes based on liquid metals (LM) are widely used in human-machine interfacing, wearable bioelectronics, and other emerging technologies. However, realizing the high-precision patterning and mechanical stability remains challenging due to the poor wettability of LM. Herein, a method is reported to fabricate LM-based multilayer solid-liquid electrodes (m-SLE) utilizing electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printed confinement template. In these electrodes, LM self-assembled onto these high-resolution templates, assisted by selective wetting on the electrodeposited Cu layer. This study shows that a m-SLE composed of PDMS/Ag/Cu/EGaIn exhibits line width of ≈20 µm, stretchability of ≈100%, mechanical stability ≈10 000 times (stretch/relaxation cycles), and recyclability. The multi-layer structure of m-SLE enables the adjustability of strain sensing, in which the strain-sensitive Ag part can be used for non-distributed detection in human health monitoring and the strain-insensitive EGaIn part can be used as interconnects. In addition, this study demonstrates that near field communication (NFC) devices and multilayer displays integrated by m-SLEs exhibit stable wireless signal transmission capability and stretchability, suggesting its applicability in creating highly-integrated, large-scale commercial, and recyclable wearable electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Precision Welding & Joining of Materials and Structures, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Zicheng Sa
- National Key Laboratory of Precision Welding & Joining of Materials and Structures, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre Limited, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jiayun Feng
- National Key Laboratory of Precision Welding & Joining of Materials and Structures, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Jiayue Wen
- Zhengzhou Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450041, China
| | - Shang Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Precision Welding & Joining of Materials and Structures, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Zhengzhou Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450041, China
| | - Yanhong Tian
- National Key Laboratory of Precision Welding & Joining of Materials and Structures, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Zhengzhou Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450041, China
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Pinheiro T, Morais M, Silvestre S, Carlos E, Coelho J, Almeida HV, Barquinha P, Fortunato E, Martins R. Direct Laser Writing: From Materials Synthesis and Conversion to Electronic Device Processing. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2402014. [PMID: 38551106 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202402014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Direct Laser Writing (DLW) has been increasingly selected as a microfabrication route for efficient, cost-effective, high-resolution material synthesis and conversion. Concurrently, lasers participate in the patterning and assembly of functional geometries in several fields of application, of which electronics stand out. In this review, recent advances and strategies based on DLW for electronics microfabrication are surveyed and outlined, based on laser material growth strategies. First, the main DLW parameters influencing material synthesis and transformation mechanisms are summarized, aimed at selective, tailored writing of conductive and semiconducting materials. Additive and transformative DLW processing mechanisms are discussed, to open space to explore several categories of materials directly synthesized or transformed for electronics microfabrication. These include metallic conductors, metal oxides, transition metal chalcogenides and carbides, laser-induced graphene, and their mixtures. By accessing a wide range of material types, DLW-based electronic applications are explored, including processing components, energy harvesting and storage, sensing, and bioelectronics. The expanded capability of lasers to participate in multiple fabrication steps at different implementation levels, from material engineering to device processing, indicates their future applicability to next-generation electronics, where more accessible, green microfabrication approaches integrate lasers as comprehensive tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Pinheiro
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Maria Morais
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Sara Silvestre
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Emanuel Carlos
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - João Coelho
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Henrique V Almeida
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Pedro Barquinha
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Elvira Fortunato
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Martins
- i3N|CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
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Zhu J, Li J, Tong Y, Hu T, Chen Z, Xiao Y, Zhang S, Yang H, Gao M, Pan T, Cheng H, Lin Y. Recent progress in multifunctional, reconfigurable, integrated liquid metal-based stretchable sensors and standalone systems. PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE 2024; 142:101228. [PMID: 38745676 PMCID: PMC11090487 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2023.101228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Possessing a unique combination of properties that are traditionally contradictory in other natural or synthetical materials, Ga-based liquid metals (LMs) exhibit low mechanical stiffness and flowability like a liquid, with good electrical and thermal conductivity like metal, as well as good biocompatibility and room-temperature phase transformation. These remarkable properties have paved the way for the development of novel reconfigurable or stretchable electronics and devices. Despite these outstanding properties, the easy oxidation, high surface tension, and low rheological viscosity of LMs have presented formidable challenges in high-resolution patterning. To address this challenge, various surface modifications or additives have been employed to tailor the oxidation state, viscosity, and patterning capability of LMs. One effective approach for LM patterning is breaking down LMs into microparticles known as liquid metal particles (LMPs). This facilitates LM patterning using conventional techniques such as stencil, screening, or inkjet printing. Judiciously formulated photo-curable LMP inks or the introduction of an adhesive seed layer combined with a modified lift-off process further provide the micrometer-level LM patterns. Incorporating porous and adhesive substrates in LM-based electronics allows direct interfacing with the skin for robust and long-term monitoring of physiological signals. Combined with self-healing polymers in the form of substrates or composites, LM-based electronics can provide mechanical-robust devices to heal after damage for working in harsh environments. This review provides the latest advances in LM-based composites, fabrication methods, and their novel and unique applications in stretchable or reconfigurable sensors and resulting integrated systems. It is believed that the advancements in LM-based material preparation and high-resolution techniques have opened up opportunities for customized designs of LM-based stretchable sensors, as well as multifunctional, reconfigurable, highly integrated, and even standalone systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhu
- School of Material and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Jiaying Li
- School of Material and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Yao Tong
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215011, PR China
| | - Taiqi Hu
- School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, P. R. China
| | - Ziqi Chen
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Yang Xiao
- School of Material and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Senhao Zhang
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215011, PR China
| | - Hongbo Yang
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215011, PR China
| | - Min Gao
- School of Material and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Taisong Pan
- School of Material and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Huanyu Cheng
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Yuan Lin
- School of Material and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
- Medico-Engineering Cooperation on Applied Medicine Research Center, University of Electronics Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
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Wu D, Wu S, Narongdej P, Duan S, Chen C, Yan Y, Liu Z, Hong W, Frenkel I, He X. Fast and Facile Liquid Metal Printing via Projection Lithography for Highly Stretchable Electronic Circuits. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2307632. [PMID: 38126914 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Soft electronic circuits are crucial for wearable electronics, biomedical technologies, and soft robotics, requiring soft conductive materials with high conductivity, high strain limit, and stable electrical performance under deformation. Liquid metals (LMs) have become attractive candidates with high conductivity and fluidic compliance, while effective manufacturing methods are demanded. Digital light processing (DLP)-based projection lithography is a high-resolution and high-throughput printing technique for primarily polymers and some metals. If LMs can be printed with DLP as well, the entire soft devices can be fabricated by one printer in a streamlined and highly efficient process. Herein, fast and facile DLP-based LM printing is achieved. Simply with 5-10 s of patterned ultraviolet (UV)-light exposure, a highly conductive and stretchable pattern can be printed using a photo-crosslinkable LM particle ink. The printed eutectic gallium indium traces feature high resolution (≈20 µm), conductivity (3 × 106 S m-1 ), stretchability (≈2500%), and excellent stability (consistent performance at different deformation). Various patterns are printed in diverse material systems for broad applications including stretchable displays, epidermal strain sensors, heaters, humidity sensors, conformal electrodes for electrography, and multi-layer actuators. The facile and scalable process, excellent performance, and diverse applications ensure its broad impact on soft electronic manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Shuwang Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Poom Narongdej
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sidi Duan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Chi Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Yichen Yan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Zixiao Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Wen Hong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Imri Frenkel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Ximin He
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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Ma J, Krisnadi F, Vong MH, Kong M, Awartani OM, Dickey MD. Shaping a Soft Future: Patterning Liquid Metals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2205196. [PMID: 36044678 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202205196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
This review highlights the unique techniques for patterning liquid metals containing gallium (e.g., eutectic gallium indium, EGaIn). These techniques are enabled by two unique attributes of these liquids relative to solid metals: 1) The fluidity of the metal allows it to be injected, sprayed, and generally dispensed. 2) The solid native oxide shell allows the metal to adhere to surfaces and be shaped in ways that would normally be prohibited due to surface tension. The ability to shape liquid metals into non-spherical structures such as wires, antennas, and electrodes can enable fluidic metallic conductors for stretchable electronics, soft robotics, e-skins, and wearables. The key properties of these metals with a focus on methods to pattern liquid metals into soft or stretchable devices are summari.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwoo Ma
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Febby Krisnadi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Man Hou Vong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Minsik Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Omar M Awartani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Michael D Dickey
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
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Zhang B, Li S, Zhang Z, Meng Z, He J, Ramakrishna S, Zhang C. Intelligent biomaterials for micro and nanoscale 3D printing. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2023.100454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
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Xu H, Feng J, Yu F, Huang J, Zhou T. Laser-Induced Selective Metallization on Polymers for Both NIR and UV Lasers: Preparing 2D and 3D Circuits. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c03367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu610065, China
| | - Jin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu610065, China
| | - Feifan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu610065, China
| | - Jiameng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu610065, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu610065, China
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Zhang J, Ma B, Chen G, Chen Y, Xu C, Hao Q, Zhao C, Liu H. Surface-Embedded Liquid Metal Electrodes with Abrasion Resistance via Direct Magnetic Printing. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:53405-53412. [PMID: 36382935 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c15282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) featuring both high conductivity and fluidity are ideal conductors for soft and stretchable electronics. However, their liquid nature is a double-edged sword in many key applications since LMs are inherently prone to mechanical damage. Although additional encapsulation is frequently used for the protection of delicate LM electrodes, it hinders the electrical interfacing with other objects for interconnection, sensing, and stimulation. Here, different from conventional patterning methods that deposit LM on or inside substrates, we for the first time report a simple strategy to create surface-embedded LM of eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) circuits with mechanical damage endurance. This was achieved by using direct magnetic printing to overcome the high surface tension of LM, allowing it to be passively filled into the laser-patterned microgrooves on soft substrates. We show that the surface-embedded LM circuits are resistant to mechanical erasure, washing, and peeling. We also show the applications of our surface-embedded LM electrodes in respiration monitoring and electrical stimulation of nerves. This work provides a simple and efficient way to create mechanically reliable LM microelectrodes, holding great promise for wearable and implantable bioelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Biao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Gangsheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Chengtao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Qing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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