Direct-write 3D printed self-supporting flexible microstructure devices

Conventional 3D printing methods often require supporting structures to maintain the structure of the suspended parts in the manufacture of metamaterials, micronano arrays, micro-channels. The remaining uncured resin in the microstructure and the removal of the sacrificial layer material by post-pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:2021 IEEE 16th International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular Systems (NEMS) pp. 319 - 323
Main Authors: Hu, Cuiwen, Chen, Haifeng, Mo, Deyun, Lian, Haishan, Yang, Yinhuan, Chen, Xiaojun
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Published: IEEE 25-04-2021
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Summary:Conventional 3D printing methods often require supporting structures to maintain the structure of the suspended parts in the manufacture of metamaterials, micronano arrays, micro-channels. The remaining uncured resin in the microstructure and the removal of the sacrificial layer material by post-processing are a key challenge for structural molding. Therefore, we propose a free-form-based direct writing 3D printing technology for manufacturing flexible microstructures without self-supporting materials. We proved that the 3D printed microstructure can withstand the bending moment it generates to prevent the collapse of the flexible microstructure. This method provides a new way for the manufacture of flexible microstructure devices such as soft robots, flexible sensing, biological tissues, micro-nano fluidics, and metamaterials.
ISSN:2474-3755
DOI:10.1109/NEMS51815.2021.9451467