Laser-Induced Forward Transfer: A Method for Printing Functional Inks

Abstract

Laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) is a direct-writing technique based in the action of a laser to print a small fraction of material from a thin donor layer onto a receiving substrate. Solid donor films have been used since its origins, but the same principle of operation works for ink liquid films, too. LIFT is a nozzle-free printing technique that has almost no restrictions in the particle size and the viscosity of the ink to be printed. Thus, LIFT is a versatile technique capable for printing any functional material with which an ink can be formulated. Although its principle of operation is valid for solid and liquid layers, in this review we put the focus in the LIFT works performed with inks or liquid suspensions. The main elements of a LIFT experimental setup are described before explaining the mechanisms of ink ejection. Then, the printing outcomes are related with the ejection mechanisms and the parameters that control their characteristics. Finally, the main achievements of the technique for printing biomolecules, cells, and materials for printed electronic applications are presented.

Laser processing of graphene and related materials for energy storage: State of the art and future prospects

“…Laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) is another direct-writing technique based on ablation, where the action of a laser is used to transfer material from thin donor layers onto arbitrary substrates [213]. The donor layer must be on a transparent substrate, placed in close proximity to the receiving substrate.…”

Full-Color Realization of Micro-LED Displays

“…Laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) is a high-resolution single-step direct printing technology. LIFT can achieve surface micro-patterning or the partial deposition of solid or liquid materials and is widely used in selective printing of electronic devices, such as organic TFT, OLED, Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS), and sensors [ 42 , 43 ]. The steps for transferring solid-state pixels are shown in Figure 4 a.…”

Indium Tin Oxide-Free Inverted Organic Photovoltaics Using Laser-Induced Forward Transfer Silver Nanoparticle Embedded Metal Grids

“…In case of liquid donors, the absorption of pulsed laser results in the formation of a high-pressure bubble, which expands and creates a stable jet of the donor material. Details of the LIFT technology can be found in review papers. , Laser printing has been successfully applied in organic electronics and biosensors and demonstrated to be a vital digital printing technique capable of transferring and printing a wide range of materials and systems such as metal nanowires, , metal nanoparticles, conducting polymers, and light-emitting polymer diode pixels . Optimization studies of laser printing and laser sintering of silver nanoparticle (Ag-np) inks on glass − and flexible substrates − were performed in terms of laser parameters, sacrificial layer properties, and rheological properties of the inks.…”