Precision-induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage-free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3D objects

Abstract Transfer printing, a crucial technique for heterogeneous integration, has gained attention for enabling unconventional layouts and high-performance electronic systems. Elastomer stamps are typically used for transfer printing, where localized heating for elastomer stamp can effectively cont...

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Main Authors: Chuanqian Shi, Jing Jiang, Chenglong Li, Chenhong Chen, Wei Jian, Jizhou Song
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-10-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53184-7
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author Chuanqian Shi
Jing Jiang
Chenglong Li
Chenhong Chen
Wei Jian
Jizhou Song
author_facet Chuanqian Shi
Jing Jiang
Chenglong Li
Chenhong Chen
Wei Jian
Jizhou Song
author_sort Chuanqian Shi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Transfer printing, a crucial technique for heterogeneous integration, has gained attention for enabling unconventional layouts and high-performance electronic systems. Elastomer stamps are typically used for transfer printing, where localized heating for elastomer stamp can effectively control the transfer process. A key challenge is the potential damage to ultrathin membranes from the contact force of elastic stamps, especially with fragile inorganic nanomembranes. Herein, we present a precision-induced localized molten technique that employs either laser-induced transient heating or hotplate-induced directional heating to precisely melt solid gallium (Ga). By leveraging the fluidity of localized molten Ga, which provides gentle contact force and exceptional conformal adaptability, this technique avoids damage to fragile thin films and improves operational reliability compared to fully liquefied Ga stamps. Furthermore, the phase transition of Ga provides a reversible adhesion with high adhesion switchability. Once solidified, the Ga stamp hardens and securely adheres to the micro/nano-membrane during the pick-up process. The solidified stamp also exhibits the capability to maneuver arbitrarily shaped objects by generating a substantial grip force through the interlocking effects. Such a robust, damage-free, simply operable protocol illustrates its promising capabilities in transfer printing diverse ultrathin membranes and objects on complex surfaces for developing high-performance unconventional electronics.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2024-10-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-99ffc53b99dc475ca139eaf959b87a342025-08-20T02:17:53ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-10-0115111410.1038/s41467-024-53184-7Precision-induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage-free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3D objectsChuanqian Shi0Jing Jiang1Chenglong Li2Chenhong Chen3Wei Jian4Jizhou Song5Center for Mechanics Plus under Extreme Environments, School of Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics, Ningbo UniversityDepartment of Engineering Mechanics, Soft Matter Research Center, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityDepartment of Engineering Mechanics, Soft Matter Research Center, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityDepartment of Engineering Mechanics, Soft Matter Research Center, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityZhejiang-Italy Joint Lab for Smart Materials and Advanced Structures, School of Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics, Ningbo UniversityDepartment of Engineering Mechanics, Soft Matter Research Center, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityAbstract Transfer printing, a crucial technique for heterogeneous integration, has gained attention for enabling unconventional layouts and high-performance electronic systems. Elastomer stamps are typically used for transfer printing, where localized heating for elastomer stamp can effectively control the transfer process. A key challenge is the potential damage to ultrathin membranes from the contact force of elastic stamps, especially with fragile inorganic nanomembranes. Herein, we present a precision-induced localized molten technique that employs either laser-induced transient heating or hotplate-induced directional heating to precisely melt solid gallium (Ga). By leveraging the fluidity of localized molten Ga, which provides gentle contact force and exceptional conformal adaptability, this technique avoids damage to fragile thin films and improves operational reliability compared to fully liquefied Ga stamps. Furthermore, the phase transition of Ga provides a reversible adhesion with high adhesion switchability. Once solidified, the Ga stamp hardens and securely adheres to the micro/nano-membrane during the pick-up process. The solidified stamp also exhibits the capability to maneuver arbitrarily shaped objects by generating a substantial grip force through the interlocking effects. Such a robust, damage-free, simply operable protocol illustrates its promising capabilities in transfer printing diverse ultrathin membranes and objects on complex surfaces for developing high-performance unconventional electronics.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53184-7
spellingShingle Chuanqian Shi
Jing Jiang
Chenglong Li
Chenhong Chen
Wei Jian
Jizhou Song
Precision-induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage-free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3D objects
Nature Communications
title Precision-induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage-free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3D objects
title_full Precision-induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage-free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3D objects
title_fullStr Precision-induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage-free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3D objects
title_full_unstemmed Precision-induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage-free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3D objects
title_short Precision-induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage-free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3D objects
title_sort precision induced localized molten liquid metal stamps for damage free transfer printing of ultrathin membranes and 3d objects
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53184-7
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