Versatile high-performance inkjet-printed paper photo-actuators based on 2D materials
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Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Hybrid Printing for the Fabrication of Smart Sensors
Published on: January 31, 2019
Vahid Rahneshin1, Milad Farzad1, Shima Azizi2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, United States of America.
Abstract:
In this paper, we present high-performance and versatile inkjet-printed paper photo-actuators based on two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. As a rapid fabrication method, inkjet printing of 2D materials is used to promptly fabricate photo-actuators in a bi-layer paper/polymer structure. Water-based and biocompatible inks based on graphene and molybdenum disulfide are developed based on liquid phase exfoliation and differential centrifugation technique. It is shown that incorporation of 2D materials with inkjet printing techniques and liquid phase exfoliation can lead to rapid fabrication of photo-actuators with huge opto-mechanical energy release and versatility with a broad range of applications due to specific design and methods presented in this paper.

