Competitive Advantages
- Ultra-fast low cost R2R mass production
- Energy and material efficient
- Increases the sensitivity of the devices
- Decreases the processing time
- Applicable for scalable printing electronics with the benefits of no contact
Summary
As essential components in intelligent systems, printed soft electronics (PSEs) are playing crucial roles in public health, national security, and economics. Innovations in printing technologies are required to promote the broad application of high-performance PSEs at a low cost. However, current printing techniques are still facing long-lasting challenges in addressing the conflict between printing speed and performance. We developed a new electric field assisted non-contact (EFAN) printing technique for ultra-fast (milliseconds) roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing of binder-free multifunctional flexible and wearable devices at low cost. EFAN-printed graphene e-skins were demonstrated to possess an outstanding strain sensing performance. The binder-free feature of the EFAN-assembled networks enables them to provide pressure sensitivity as low as 2.5 Pa and capability to detect acoustic signals of hundreds of hertz in frequency. Furthermore, the EFAN technique was utilized to pattern different types of functional materials (e.g., graphene and thermochromic polymers) onto different substrates (e.g., tape and textile). Overall, EFAN is a novel contactless and ultra-fast mass production platform compatible with the R2R process for fabricating binder-free, scalable, high-sensitivity, and low-cost soft electronics.
Ultrafast R2R printing of flexible devices
Desired Partnerships
- License
- Sponsored Research
- Co-Development