3-D printing of liquid metals for stretchable and flexible conductors

Chris Trlica; Dishit Paresh Parekh; Lazar Panich; Collin Ladd; Michael D. Dickey

doi:10.1117/12.2050212

4 June 2014 3-D printing of liquid metals for stretchable and flexible conductors

Chris Trlica, Dishit Paresh Parekh, Lazar Panich, Collin Ladd, Michael D. Dickey

Proceedings Volume 9083, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications VI; 90831D (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2050212
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2014, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

3-D printing is an emerging technology that has been used primarily on small scales for rapid prototyping, but which could also herald a wider movement towards decentralized, highly customizable manufacturing. Polymers are the most common materials to be 3-D printed today, but there is great demand for a way to easily print metals. Existing techniques for 3-D printing metals tend to be expensive and energy-intensive, and usually require high temperatures or pressures, making them incompatible with polymers, organics, soft materials, and biological materials. Here, we describe room temperature liquid metals as complements to polymers for 3-D printing applications. These metals enable the fabrication of soft, flexible, and stretchable devices. We survey potential room temperature liquid metal candidates and describe the benefits of gallium and its alloys for these purposes. We demonstrate the direct printing of a liquid gallium alloy in both 2-D and 3-D and highlight the structures and shapes that can be fabricated using these processes.

Citation Download Citation

Chris Trlica, Dishit Paresh Parekh, Lazar Panich, Collin Ladd, and Michael D. Dickey "3-D printing of liquid metals for stretchable and flexible conductors", Proc. SPIE 9083, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications VI, 90831D (4 June 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2050212

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