Laser-based Fabrication of Metal Nanocomposites on Flexible Substrates
A new laser-based process creates durable carbon nanotube–metal composite thin films on flexible substrates, eliminating the need for expensive masks or vacuum fabrication, and enhancing the reliability of flexible electronic devices.
Flexible electronics have many advantages including providing weight savings, good portability, and ease of integration with other devices. They have many current or potential applications. Unfortunately, these devices are often subject to repeated strain and stresses, which could lead to cracks and fatigue failures in their metallic components. Thus, it is highly desirable to enhance the reliability and durability of metal components in flexible electronics.
A Purdue University researcher has invented a laser-based process for fabricating carbon nanotube (CNT)-metal nanocomposite thin films onto flexible substrates. This technology eliminates the need for costly masks or vacuum during the fabrication process and is potentially suitable with a variety of metals including silver and copper. Replacing the conventional metal components in flexible electronics with the laser-fabricated metal nanocomposites can potentially enhance the device durability and reliability via the CNT-induced fatigue property improvement.
Potential Advantages:
-The nanocomposite thin film can have enhanced fatigue performance
-The nanocomposite fabrication does not need costly masks or vacuum
-The geometry of the fabricated nanocomposite thin film can be flexibly adjusted
-Laser can be focused to a small spot to provide a high spatial resolution in fabrication
Potential Applications:
-Flexible electronic devices that involve metal thin films on flexible substrates
-Sensors
-Wearable electronics
-Solar cells
-Flexible displays
Related Publications:
Kang, Z., Wu, B., Wang, R., and Wu, W. (June 28, 2018). "Laser-Based Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube–Silver Composites With Enhanced Fatigue Performance Onto a Flexible Substrate." ASME. J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. September 2018; 140(9): 091005. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4039492
Acknowledgment:
Research work related to the laser-based fabrication of CNT-metal nanocomposites on flexible substrates was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMMI 1542376. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
TRL: 4
Intellectual Property:
Provisional-Patent, 2015-10-09, United States | Provisional-Patent, 2016-10-11, United States | Utility Patent, 2017-10-10, United States
Keywords: Flexible electronics, carbon nanotube nanocomposites, CNT-metal thin films, laser-based fabrication, enhanced fatigue performance, device durability, metal nanocomposites, flexible substrates, wearable electronics, solar cells