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Hybrid 3D Printing of Soft Electronics
Author(s) -
Valentine Alexander D.,
Busbee Travis A.,
Boley John William,
Raney Jordan R.,
Chortos Alex,
Kotikian Arda,
Berrigan John Daniel,
Durstock Michael F.,
Lewis Jennifer A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201703817
Subject(s) - materials science , electronics , electrical conductor , soft robotics , electronic component , printed electronics , inkwell , flexible electronics , stretchable electronics , conductive ink , elastomer , substrate (aquarium) , 3d printing , electrode , wearable technology , rapid prototyping , screen printing , nanotechnology , wearable computer , electrical engineering , computer science , actuator , composite material , engineering , sheet resistance , embedded system , oceanography , chemistry , layer (electronics) , geology
Abstract Hybrid 3D printing is a new method for producing soft electronics that combines direct ink writing of conductive and dielectric elastomeric materials with automated pick‐and‐place of surface mount electronic components within an integrated additive manufacturing platform. Using this approach, insulating matrix and conductive electrode inks are directly printed in specific layouts. Passive and active electrical components are then integrated to produce the desired electronic circuitry by using an empty nozzle (in vacuum‐on mode) to pick up individual components, place them onto the substrate, and then deposit them (in vacuum‐off mode) in the desired location. The components are then interconnected via printed conductive traces to yield soft electronic devices that may find potential application in wearable electronics, soft robotics, and biomedical devices.