Additively Manufactured Inkjet-/3D-/4D-Printed Wireless Sensors Modules

Abstract

This publication considers the use of a variety of additive manufacturing techniques in the development of wireless modules and sensors. The opportunities and advantages of these manufacturing techniques are explored from an application point of view. We discuss first the origami (4D-printed) structures which take advantage of the ability to alter the shape of the inkjet-printed conductive traces on the paper substrate to produce a reconfigurable behavior. Next, focus is shifted towards the use of additive manufacturing technology to develop skin-like flexible electrical system for wireless sensing applications. We then discuss the development of a fully flexible energy autonomous body area network for autonomous sensing applications, the system is fabricated using 3D and inkjet printing techniques. Finally, an integration of inkjet and 3D printing for the realization of efficient mm-wave 3D interconnects up to 60GHz is discussed.

4D Printing of Smart Stimuli-Responsive Polymers

“…Such structures were produced starting from a 2D paper origami-like structure, which acquires the ability to change shape thanks to dipole elements printed on the folding lines of the paper structure. 54,55 Peng et al followed a similar approach to apply 4D functionalities to 3D hydrogel structures. 56 Moreover, standard inkjet can be used as a complementary technique for other 4D printing techniques.…”