Non‐Lithography Hydrodynamic Printing of Micro/Nanostructures on Curved Surfaces

A key issue of micro/nano devices is how to integrate micro/nanostructures with specified chemical components onto various curved surfaces. Hydrodynamic printing of micro/nanostructures on three‐dimensional curved surfaces is achieved with a strategy that combines template‐induced hydrodynamic printing and self‐assembly of nanoparticles (NPs). Non‐lithography flexible wall‐shaped templates are replicated with microscale features by dicing a trench‐shaped silicon wafer. Arising from the capillary pumped function between the template and curved substrates, NPs in the colloidal suspension self‐assemble into close‐packed micro/nanostructures without a gravity effect. Theoretical analysis with the lattice Boltzmann model reveals the fundamental principles of the hydrodynamic assembly process. Spiral linear structures achieved by two kinds of fluorescent NPs show non‐interfering photoluminescence properties, while the waveguide and photoluminescence are confirmed in 3D curved space. The printed multiconstituent micro/nanostructures with single‐NP resolution may serve as a general platform for optoelectronics beyond flat surfaces.     

电喷印刷柔性传感器

柔性传感器因其在弯折、扭曲、拉伸等大变形条件下具有稳定的传感性能,所以在软体机器人、可穿戴电子和生物医疗等领域具有潜在的应用前景,受到了国内外研究者的广泛关注。与传统光刻技术相比,印刷技术制造作为增材制造,具有绿色、低成本和可大面积制造的优势,被广泛应用于柔性电子器件制备。其中,电流体动力喷墨打印(电喷印)技术因其具有多种功能材料的兼容性,被认为最有可能替代传统的光刻技术,实现柔性传感器高分辨率和跨规模制造。近年来,电喷印技术在微型化柔性传感器制造领域显示出广泛的应用潜力。本综述重点介绍了电喷印刷柔性传感器的工艺、材料和应用的最新研究进展。首先,详细介绍了电流体动力喷墨打印技术的工作原理,总结了用于电喷印的各种功能性墨水材料,然后,介绍了电喷印刷中墨水和柔性基底间表界面调控的问题。随后,综述了电喷印方法在柔性压力传感器、柔性气体传感器和柔性电化学传感器等柔性传感器制造的应用进展。最后,总结讨论了下一代电喷印刷技术在柔性传感器领域的机遇与挑战。     

Chitosan and Whey Protein Bio-Inks for 3D and 4D Printing Applications with Particular Focus on Food Industry

The application of chitosan (CS) and whey protein (WP) alone or in combination in 3D/4D printing has been well considered in previous studies. Although several excellent reviews on additive manufacturing discussed the properties and biomedical applications of CS and WP, there is a lack of a systemic review about CS and WP bio-inks for 3D/4D printing applications. Easily modified bio-ink with optimal printability is a key for additive manufacturing. CS, WP, and WP–CS complex hydrogel possess great potential in making bio-ink that can be broadly used for future 3D/4D printing, because CS is a functional polysaccharide with good biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity, and non-carcinogenicity, while CS–WP complex hydrogel has better printability and drug-delivery effectivity than WP hydrogel. The review summarizes the current advances of bio-ink preparation employing CS and/or WP to satisfy the requirements of 3D/4D printing and post-treatment of materials. The applications of CS/WP bio-ink mainly focus on 3D food printing with a few applications in cosmetics. The review also highlights the trends of CS/WP bio-inks as potential candidates in 4D printing. Some promising strategies for developing novel bio-inks based on CS and/or WP are introduced, aiming to provide new insights into the value-added development and commercial CS and WP utilization.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper ink and direct printing of copper patterns by inkjet printing for electronic devices

Among the conventional metallic inks used in the printing process, silver exhibits high conductivity and thermal stability. Nevertheless, due to the high cost of silver, it cannot be extensively used for the fabrication of inks. As a competitive alternative, copper can be considered as a substitute for silver; however, copper ink oxidizes under certain atmospheric conditions. To meet these shortcomings, a cost effective, highly conductive, and oxidation-free copper-based ink has been synthesized in this study, wherein, oxidation of the copper particles in the copper-based ink was prevented by using copper complexes. The copper ink thus fabricated was printed on chemically treated Si/SiO₂ substrates followed by the characterization of the printed copper films. The results of this study confirmed that the synthesized copper ink exhibited properties suitable for its use in the inkjet printing process for fabrication of various electronic devices.     

Recent strategies to enhance the performance of polymer monoliths for analytical separations

This review summarizes recent developments made in the incorporation of functional materials into organic polymer monoliths, together with new monolithic forms and formats, which enhance their application as supports and stationary phase materials for sample preparation and chromatographic separations. While polymer monoliths are well‐known supports for the separation of large molecules, recent developments have been made to improve their features for the separation of small molecules. The selectivity and performance of organic polymer monoliths has been improved by the incorporation of different materials, such as metal‐organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, or other types of nanostructured materials (carbon nanohorns, nanodiamonds, polyoxometalates, layered double hydroxides, or attapulgite). The surface area of polymer monoliths has been significantly increased by polymer hypercrosslinking, resulting in increased efficiency when applied to the separation of small molecules. In addition, recent exploration of less conventional supports for casting polymer monoliths, including photonic fibres and 3D printed materials, has opened new avenues for the applications of polymer monoliths in the field of separation science. Recent developments made in these topics are covered, focusing on the strategies followed by the authors to prepare the polymer monoliths and the effect of these modifications on the developed analytical applications.     

3D Printing in analytical sample preparation

In the last 5 years, additive manufacturing (three‐dimensional printing) has emerged as a highly valuable technology to advance the field of analytical sample preparation. Three‐dimensional printing enabled the cost‐effective and rapid fabrication of devices for sample preparation, especially in flow‐based mode, opening new possibilities for the development of automated analytical methods. Recent advances involve membrane‐based three‐dimensional printed separation devices fabricated by print‐pause‐print and multi‐material three‐dimensional printing, or improved three‐dimensional printed holders for solid‐phase extraction containing sorbent bead packings, extraction disks, fibers, and magnetic particles. Other recent developments rely on the direct three‐dimensional printing of extraction sorbents, the functionalization of commercial three‐dimensional printable resins, or the coating of three‐dimensional printed devices with functional micro/nanomaterials. In addition, improved devices for liquid–liquid extraction such as extraction chambers, or phase separators are opening new possibilities for analytical method development combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The present review outlines the current state‐of‐the‐art of three‐dimensional printing in analytical sample preparation.     

Influence of fused deposition modeling parameters on the mechanical properties of ABS parts

This work aims to determine the influence of fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing parameters on the mechanical properties of parts fabricated on an Ultimaker2 printer with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The effect of several parameters such as interlayer cooling time (ILCT), nozzle diameter, infill density, raster angle and layer thickness on the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elastic modulus of produced parts was evaluated. Two independent studies were conducted: a first study dedicated to the ILCT and a second study where the influence of other parameters was evaluated through a design of experiments (DoE) approach. Both studies were carried out through the execution of standard tensile tests. The statistical analysis of tensile tests results was processed with the ANOVA methodology. The obtained results indicate that a reduced ILCT improves the tensile strength of parts. It is shown that nozzle diameter and infill density are the parameters that most influence the mechanical properties of ABS, with the upper range selected values improving the studied mechanical properties. The raster angle configuration of (?45^o/45^o) benefits UTS and yield strength of ABS samples. Interactions of nozzle diameter on layer thickness were detected. It was observed that smaller layer thickness promotes a higher elastic modulus and UTS; however, for thinner layers (0.06‐0.10 mm), no significant differences were found on strength of samples due to potential high distortion levels.     

3D printing for aqueous and non-aqueous redox flow batteries

Additive manufacturing technologies, generally grouped under the name of 3D printing, are experiencing an explosion of interest during the last few years. The possibility of fast prototyping enabled by 3D printing has been recognized as a crucial booster for device fabrication and general scientific advancements. In this review, attention is focused on the latest developments in the field of redox flow batteries which are, similar to other energy related devices, characterized by the recent adoption of 3D printing methods for the fabrication of key components. Whether simply to investigate flow phenomena, test new designs or fabricate final-product components with custom features, the use of 3D printing can critically drive this field of research towards better performing energy-storage systems. The latest and most representative examples of redox flow battery studies will be discussed, categorized in relation to the electrolyte used and whether the devices are employed in aqueous or non-aqueous applications.     

聚合物前驱体3D打印制备高性能陶瓷

3D打印制备陶瓷可以实现结构-材料设计一体化,为复杂形状陶瓷材料快速成型提供了新途径。但是传统的3D打印制备陶瓷是以陶瓷粉末或陶瓷颗粒为打印材料,存在陶瓷构件尺寸精度差、表面光洁度低和力学性能不佳等问题。近年来,以聚合物前驱体为打印材料,通过3D打印成型、高温裂解等工艺制备高性能陶瓷技术的出现为改善这些不足提供了新方法,成为3D打印陶瓷领域的研究热点。本文概述了聚合物前驱体3D打印制备高性能陶瓷的研究进展,重点阐述了本体聚合物前驱体、聚合物前驱体/光敏化合物、聚合物前驱体/巯基化合物、光敏基团改性聚合物前驱体、增强体/聚合物前驱体五种典型材料体系的研究现状,并对其今后的发展方向进行了展望。     

植物纤维及其提取物增强聚合物的3D打印成型研究

3D打印技术作为新型成型技术,近年来受到了巨大的关注,但常见的PLA、ABS等单体打印耗材由于其自身的不同缺点,限制了其进一步的应用。本文综述了植物纤维及其提取物增强聚合物复合材料在3D打印领域的应用研究进展,重点阐述了木纤维、竹纤维,秸秆纤维等常见植物纤维用于3D打印的研究现状,还介绍了纤维素、木质素、半纤维素等植物纤维提取物增强聚合物用于3D打印的研究情况。同时对植物纤维/聚合物材料存在的一些问题及改性方法进行了分析与展望。