Wearable electronic devices that intend to track and measure the bodyβs movements must be soft enough to flex and stretch to accommodate every body-movement. But, integrating rigid electronics on skin-like flexible materials has proven to be challenging. Clearly, Such components cannot stretch like soft materials can, and this mismatch frequently causes wearable devices to fail. Recently scientists solved this problem by developing a new method called hybrid 3D printing.
A collaboration between theΒ Wyss Institute,Β Harvardβs John A. Paulson School of EngineeringΒ and Applied Sciences, and theΒ Air Force Research Laboratory, has resulted in developing hybrid 3D printing method. It combines soft, electrically conductive inks, and matrix materials with rigid electronics into a uniformly stretchable device.Β Alex Valentine, a Staff Engineer at theΒ Wyss InstituteΒ says,
With this technique, we can print the electronic sensor directly onto the material, digitally pick-and-place electronic components, and print the conductive interconnects that complete the electronic circuitry required to βreadβ the sensorβs data signal in one fell swoop.
To make the circuits and the flexible layers, the researchers useΒ thermoplastic polyurethaneΒ (TPU), both pure and with silver flakes. The method is quite easy to understand. As both the substrate and the electrodes containΒ TPU, they firmly adhere to one another while they are co-printed layer-by-layer.Β After the solvent evaporates completely, both of the inks harden, forming an integrated system that is both flexible and stretchable.
As the ink and substrate are 3D-printed, the scientists have complete control over where and how the conductive features are patterned. Thus they can design circuits to create soft electronic devices of nearly every size and shape. The hybrid 3D printing method enables development of flexible, durable wearable devices that move with the body.
Read More:Β RESEARCHERS DEVELOPED HYBRID 3D PRINTING METHOD TO MAKE FLEXIBLE WEARABLE DEVICES