Additive and Laser Manufacturing for Multifunctional Electronics on High-Performance Polymers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is a versatile material for electronic applications.
• High-performance polymers like polyetherimide (PEI) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) are crucial in advanced manufacturing.
• Investigating LIG on PEI and PEEK is essential for expanding its use in 3D-printed electronics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the properties of LIG fabricated on PEI and PEEK using a blue laser.
• To evaluate the electrical, thermal, and sensing capabilities of LIG on these high-performance polymers.
• To demonstrate the integration of LIG with 3D-printed structures for functional electronic components.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of LIG on pure and 3D-printed PEI and PEEK using a blue laser.
• Characterization of LIG's electrical properties, including sheet resistance and conductivity.
• Fabrication and testing of LIG-based heaters and strain gauges on 3D-printed specimens.

Main Results:

• Achieved exceptionally low sheet resistances (1.02 Ω sq⁻¹) and high conductivities (45.4 S cm⁻¹) for LIG on PEI and PEEK.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of LIG heaters with wide operating ranges and excellent electrothermal properties.
• Showcased LIG strain gauges with large gauge factors and minimal drift, highlighting their stability.

Conclusions:

• LIG can be effectively fabricated on PEI and PEEK, yielding superior electrical properties compared to previous studies.
• The integration of LIG with additive manufacturing offers a facile approach to create customizable electronic circuits, heaters, and sensors.
• This research presents a promising pathway for advanced functional materials in 3D-printed applications.