Dec 25, 2014
Last month, a team from the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), published a revolutionary approach to 3D print nanostructures entirely of graphene in the November 33, 2014 edition of Advanced Materials. The approach involves using the stretched liquid meniscus of ink to fabricate 3D reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanowires. Unlike most 3D printing methods, which use filaments or powders as printing materials, KERI's method is more refined. "This enables us to realize finer printed structures than a nozzle aperture, resulting in the manufacturing of nanostructures," said research team leader, Professor Seung Kwon Seol at KERI's Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center.
This is an important advancement for the implementation of 3D patterns in printed electronics, in which the use of graphene plays a very important role.
As described in their article, Professor Seol's team used liquid meniscus as a more novel approach to nanometer-scale 3D printing. Graphene oxide (GO) wires were grown at room temperature using the meniscus formed at the tip of a micropipette. The wires were then reduced by thermal or chemical treatment (with hydrazine). GO deposition was achieved by pulling the micropipette as the solvent rapidly evaporated, thus enabling the growth of GO wires.
Formed by a single layer of carbon atoms only one atom thick and in the shape of a hexagonal lattice, graphene is the fundamental building block of all graphitic materials. It is known for its unique properties, such as extraordinary conductivity, flexibility and transparency, making it an ideal material for everything from electronics to energy storage to commercial applications.
In an interview with the Korea Times on Dec 18, Professor Seol Seung-kwon provided an update of their project.
"The 3D nano printing technology will make it possible to produce 3D objects using various materials, including metal, plastic and graphene, compared to the existing 3D printers that only use plastic as material," explained Seol. "This technology can be applied to diverse industrial segments. In particular, it is anticipated to set a new paradigm in the printed electronics segment, which has lacked core technology so far."
Seol Seung-kwon, a senior researcher at Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute's Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center
With this technique, researchers produced a variety of freestanding rGO architectures, including straight wires, bridges, suspended junctions and woven structures.
"To the best of our knowledge, nobody has reported 3D-printed nanostructures composed entirely of graphene," said Professor Seol.
This fascinating advancement in 3D nanoprinting technology can be implemented into various electronic industries, such as 3D printed circuit bards, transistors, solar cells, and sensors, to name a few.
KERI said it has applied for the patent for this technology and they will cooperate with related industries for further develop the technology. Their ultimate plan will be to transfer the technology to the private sector to commercialize the 3D nano printer products.
"Currently we have developed the core technology for the 3D nano printing and expect that we need three years for the follow-up research required to commercialize the technology," Seol said.
Posted in 3D Printing Technology
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This will open many possibilities!