Researchers at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign have developed a unique process for geometrically transforming
two dimensional (2D) micro/nanostructures into extended 3D layouts by
exploiting mechanics principles similar to those found in children's 'pop-up'
books.
Complex, 3D micro/nanostructures are ubiquitous in biology,
where they provide essential functions in even the most basic forms of life.
Similar design strategies have great potential for use in a wide variety of
human-made systems, from biomedical devices to microelectromechanical
components, photonics and optoelectronics, metamaterials, electronics, energy
storage, and more.
Researchers noted that existing methods for forming 3D
structures are either highly constrained in the classes of materials that can
be used, or in the types of geometries that can be achieved.
"Conventional 3D printing technologies are fantastic,
but none offers the ability to build microstructures that embed high
performance semiconductors, such as silicon," explained John Rogers, a
Swanlund Chair and professor of materials science and engineering at Illinois.
"We have presented a remarkably simple route to 3D that starts with planar
precursor structures formed in nearly any type of material, including the most
advanced ones used in photonics and electronics. A stretched, soft substrate
imparts forces at precisely defined locations across such a structure to
initiate controlled buckling processes that induce rapid, large-area extension
into the third dimension. The result transforms these planar materials into
well-defined, 3D frameworks with broad geometric diversity."
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