Self-packaged high-resolution liquid metal nano-patterns

An, Licong; Jiang, Haoqing; Branco, Danilo de Camargo; Liu, Xingtao; Cheng, Guanjun

doi:10.1016/j.matt.2022.01.004

Cited by 29 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Given this versatility and the potential application of these structures in the diverse fields of optics, sensing, microfluidics, die-printing, etc., , we conduct this study to understand the mechanism of the formation of ripples. Previously studied techniques − show novel methods of producing patterns using liquid metals. However, a single-step process for creating patterns in ambient conditions with features ranging from 100 nm to 10 μm is not demonstrated in those studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spontaneous Formation of Structures with Micro- and Nano-Scopic Periodic Ripple Patterns

et al. 2022

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We report the first study on the formation of structures with micro- and nano-scopic periodic surface patterns created by the spontaneous flow of liquid metal over thin metallic solid films. Minute details of the flow of liquid gallium over gold are captured in situ at very high magnifications using a scanning electron microscope, and a series of experiments and microstructural characterization are performed to understand the underlying principles of the liquid flow and the pattern formation. This phenomenon is solely driven by wetting, with little influence of gravity, and is aided by a tenacious semi-solidus envelope of the intermetallic compound formed due to the reaction between the liquid metal and the metallic substrate. This complex flow creates highly periodic patterns with features ranging from hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers, which can be tuned a priori . We propose a model capturing the essential mechanics of the ripple formation and apply it to simulate the formation of a single ripple, along with its essential asymmetry, that forms the basis for generating the observed patterns.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spontaneous Formation of Structures with Micro- and Nano-Scopic Periodic Ripple Patterns

et al. 2022

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“…Licong An et al developed a GLM nanopatterning technology based on pulsed laser lithography to generate nano-level GLM patterns. [65] As shown in Figure 3c, The GLM nanoparticle solution is uniformly sprayed on a clean silica substrate and then sintered using a fiber laser. The GLM sintered by laser not only has the characteristics of ultra-high resolution, but also has good resistance to external damage.…”

Section: Sintering Methods Of Glm Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoarchitectonics and Applications of Gallium‐Based Liquid Metal Micro‐ and Nanoparticles

Zhang

Xia

2023

ChemNanoMat

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In recent years, gallium‐based liquid metal (GLM) is an attractive material because of its excellent characteristics such as ultra‐low melting point, high fluidity, high conductivity, self‐healing and so on. GLMs have unique properties at micro and nano scales, such as core‐shell structure, sinterability, biocompatibility and photothermal conversion ability and so on, which promote the development of relevant application directions. Therefore, various preparation methods of GLM particles and conductive connection of GLM nanoparticles through various sintering methods are reviewed in this paper. In addition, GLM particles also show great prospects in flexible circuits, sensor detection, medical treatment, energy production and other fields

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“…29−32 Encapsulated LM cannot directly contact other objects and expose to the environment, limiting their practical use in many important application scenarios such as wearable and implantable electrophysiology monitoring, electrostimulation, and gas and temperature sensing. A few efforts have been devoted to increasing the mechanical reliability of LM circuits by converting its liquid state into a biphasic (solid−liquid) state through heat treatment, 33,34 the use of pulsed laser lithography to obtain self-packaged structures, 35 or in situ deposition of adhesive LM particles by chemical modification. 36,37 thermally sensitive substrates, or the use of expensive equipment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the surface patterning, the liquid nature of LM conductors makes them prone to mechanical damage, requiring additional encapsulation steps to protect the delicate LM circuits. − Encapsulated LM cannot directly contact other objects and expose to the environment, limiting their practical use in many important application scenarios such as wearable and implantable electrophysiology monitoring, electrostimulation, and gas and temperature sensing. A few efforts have been devoted to increasing the mechanical reliability of LM circuits by converting its liquid state into a biphasic (solid–liquid) state through heat treatment, , the use of pulsed laser lithography to obtain self-packaged structures, or in situ deposition of adhesive LM particles by chemical modification. , However, these strategies have resulted in multistep operation for pretreatment and patterning of LM, being incompatible with thermally sensitive substrates, or the use of expensive equipment. Thus, it is highly needed to develop a simple and versatile way to create robust LM circuits for reliable use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface-Embedded Liquid Metal Electrodes with Abrasion Resistance via Direct Magnetic Printing

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2022

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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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 doubleedged 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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Self-packaged high-resolution liquid metal nano-patterns

Cited by 29 publications

References 42 publications

Spontaneous Formation of Structures with Micro- and Nano-Scopic Periodic Ripple Patterns

Spontaneous Formation of Structures with Micro- and Nano-Scopic Periodic Ripple Patterns

Nanoarchitectonics and Applications of Gallium‐Based Liquid Metal Micro‐ and Nanoparticles

Surface-Embedded Liquid Metal Electrodes with Abrasion Resistance via Direct Magnetic Printing

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