Laser‐Enabled Fabrication of Flexible Printed Electronics with Integrated Functional Devices

Abstract The demand for flexible and printed electronics in wearable and soft robotics applications has increased the need for scalable, additive manufacturing processes. However, traditional printed circuit board manufacturing involves complex, multistep processes, is limited to certain substrates,...

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Main Authors: Wedyan Babatain, Christine Park, Hiroshi Ishii, Neil Gershenfeld
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202415272
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author Wedyan Babatain
Christine Park
Hiroshi Ishii
Neil Gershenfeld
author_facet Wedyan Babatain
Christine Park
Hiroshi Ishii
Neil Gershenfeld
author_sort Wedyan Babatain
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The demand for flexible and printed electronics in wearable and soft robotics applications has increased the need for scalable, additive manufacturing processes. However, traditional printed circuit board manufacturing involves complex, multistep processes, is limited to certain substrates, and faces challenges in integrating functional devices. Here, an additive, laser‐enabled process is introduced for fabricating flexible, double‐sided printed electronics leveraging laser‐induced graphene (LIG) as a seed layer for selective copper electrodeposition (E‐LIG). This technique enables precise conductive circuit patterning down to 50 µm and is reliable via formation in a single streamlined process. E‐LIG supports transfer to various substrates, allowing for large‐area electronics up to 100 cm2, broadening applications in large‐scale interfaces. Functional LIG device integration, including sensors and actuators, directly interfaced with control circuits on a single substrate is demonstrated. Applications such as real‐time graphical output and interactive interfacing showcase the method's versatility. E‐LIG exhibits repairability for on‐demand restoration of damaged circuits, enhancing durability and offering a scalable, cost‐effective solution for multifunctional printed electronics.
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spelling doaj-art-059678847711420986206646231dc2552025-08-20T02:34:43ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-05-011220n/an/a10.1002/advs.202415272Laser‐Enabled Fabrication of Flexible Printed Electronics with Integrated Functional DevicesWedyan Babatain0Christine Park1Hiroshi Ishii2Neil Gershenfeld3Media Lab Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USAMedia Lab Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USAMedia Lab Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USACenter for Bits and Atoms Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USAAbstract The demand for flexible and printed electronics in wearable and soft robotics applications has increased the need for scalable, additive manufacturing processes. However, traditional printed circuit board manufacturing involves complex, multistep processes, is limited to certain substrates, and faces challenges in integrating functional devices. Here, an additive, laser‐enabled process is introduced for fabricating flexible, double‐sided printed electronics leveraging laser‐induced graphene (LIG) as a seed layer for selective copper electrodeposition (E‐LIG). This technique enables precise conductive circuit patterning down to 50 µm and is reliable via formation in a single streamlined process. E‐LIG supports transfer to various substrates, allowing for large‐area electronics up to 100 cm2, broadening applications in large‐scale interfaces. Functional LIG device integration, including sensors and actuators, directly interfaced with control circuits on a single substrate is demonstrated. Applications such as real‐time graphical output and interactive interfacing showcase the method's versatility. E‐LIG exhibits repairability for on‐demand restoration of damaged circuits, enhancing durability and offering a scalable, cost‐effective solution for multifunctional printed electronics.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202415272additive manufacturingdigital fabricationflexible electronicslaser writingprinted electronics
spellingShingle Wedyan Babatain
Christine Park
Hiroshi Ishii
Neil Gershenfeld
Laser‐Enabled Fabrication of Flexible Printed Electronics with Integrated Functional Devices
Advanced Science
additive manufacturing
digital fabrication
flexible electronics
laser writing
printed electronics
title Laser‐Enabled Fabrication of Flexible Printed Electronics with Integrated Functional Devices
title_full Laser‐Enabled Fabrication of Flexible Printed Electronics with Integrated Functional Devices
title_fullStr Laser‐Enabled Fabrication of Flexible Printed Electronics with Integrated Functional Devices
title_full_unstemmed Laser‐Enabled Fabrication of Flexible Printed Electronics with Integrated Functional Devices
title_short Laser‐Enabled Fabrication of Flexible Printed Electronics with Integrated Functional Devices
title_sort laser enabled fabrication of flexible printed electronics with integrated functional devices
topic additive manufacturing
digital fabrication
flexible electronics
laser writing
printed electronics
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202415272
work_keys_str_mv AT wedyanbabatain laserenabledfabricationofflexibleprintedelectronicswithintegratedfunctionaldevices
AT christinepark laserenabledfabricationofflexibleprintedelectronicswithintegratedfunctionaldevices
AT hiroshiishii laserenabledfabricationofflexibleprintedelectronicswithintegratedfunctionaldevices
AT neilgershenfeld laserenabledfabricationofflexibleprintedelectronicswithintegratedfunctionaldevices