Recent Advances in Printed Electronics and Additive Manufacturing: 2D/3D Functional Materials, Fabrication Processes, and Emerging Applications: On-Demand Oral Presentations
Sponsored by: TMS Functional Materials Division, TMS: Thin Films and Interfaces Committee
Program Organizers: Pooran Joshi, Elbit Systems of America; Rahul Panat, Carnegie Mellon University; Yong Lin Kong, University of Utah; Tolga Aytug, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Konstantinos Sierros, West Virginia University; Changyong Cao, Michigan State University; Dave Estrada, Boise State University; Nuggehalli Ravindra, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Monday 8:00 AM
March 14, 2022
Room: Electronic Materials
Location: On-Demand Room


Corona-enabled Electrostatic Printing (CEP) for Ultra-fast R2R Manufacturing of Binder-free Multifunctional E-skins: Ying Zhong1; Zijian Weng1; 1University of South Florida
    As essential components in intelligent systems, printed soft electronics (PSEs) are playing crucial roles in public health, national security, and economics. Innovations in printing technologies are required to promote the broad application of high-performance PSEs at a low cost. However, current printing techniques are still facing challenges in addressing the conflict between printing speed and performance. To overcome them, we developed a new corona-enabled electrostatic printing (CEP) technique for ultra-fast (milliseconds) roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing of binder-free multifunctional e-skins. The printing capability and controllability of CEP were investigated through parametric studies and microstructure observation. The electric field generation, material transfer, and particle amount and size selecting mechanisms were studied. CEP printed graphene e-skins were demonstrated to possess outstanding strain sensing performance. The binder-free feature of the CEP-assembled networks enables them to provide pressure sensitivity as low as 2.5 Pa, and capability to detect acoustic signals of hundreds of hertz in frequency.

Effect of Dichloroethane on the Electronic Transport Behavior in Semiconducting MoS2 Temperature: Ravindra Mehta1; Kishan Jyanand1; Anupama Kaul1; 1University of North Texas
    The effect of chloride doping on temperature-dependent optoelectronic behavior of two-dimensional MoS2 has been reported in this work. The layer-dependent bandgap of MoS2 not only increases in magnitude as we go from bulk to monolayer, but it also transitions from indirect to direct bandgap. Moreover, MoS2 is also interesting for optoelectronic applications resulting in enhanced optical absorption over a broad wavelength range. The ultra-thin nature of these materials makes it challenging to use conventional doping strategies. From our observations with chloride doping, the barrier height reduced significantly after doping. The devices were fabricated using electron beam lithography with Au/Ti electrodes for metal deposition by lift-off, and the effect of temperature on photocurrents and other characteristics of the transistors will be reported for a comparative analysis of the doped and undoped structures with MoS2.

Design of Materials for Advanced Energy Storage: Cengiz Ozkan1; 1University of California
     Hierarchical three dimensional carbon materials called pillared Graphene nanostructures grown by chemical vapor deposition possess ultra large Surface area, mechanical durability and high conductivity which are appealing to Energy storage systems. Integration of pseudocapacitive metal oxides to Hierarchical templates provides superior electrochemical performance. Three-dimensional templates are transformed into cone-shaped nanotube clusters decorated with amorphous silicon for Li-ion battery anodes, where the seamless connection between silicon decorated nanotube cones and graphene substrate facilitates charge transfer and provides a binder-free technique. Li-ion batteries based on such architectures demonstrated ultra-fast charging, high-reversible capacity and excellent cycling-stability. Mildly reduced graphene oxide and silica coated Sulfur particles have been developed as new generation cathode materials, which help to reduce the polysulfide shuttling effects and improve the cycling stability. Selected metal oxide thin film barrier layers have been developed to further mitigate polysulfide shuttling effects, and to enhancethe performance and cyclic stability of Li–S batteries.

Additive Manufacturing of Smart Materials: Zhangxian Deng1; 1Boise State University
    Smart materials are a new class of materials whose properties vary controllably and reversibly as a result of stress, electrical field, or magnetic field. This unique characteristic has led to unprecedented smart devices for energy scavenge, structural health monitoring, or ultrasonic transducers. Our group applies state-of-the-art additive manufacturing techniques to fabricate smart materials and targets low-cost fast prototyping of smart devices. Here, we will specifically present our recent achievements in two smart materials: (1) piezoelectric materials that deform in response to an applied electrical field or generate electrical charges when subjected to a mechanical stress and (2) magnetostrictive materials that deform in response to a magnetic field or demonstrate magnetic property variations when subjected to mechanical loadings. We will highlight our innovations in smart nanomaterial ink preparation, nScrypt micro-dispenser printing, material post-processing, and material property characterization. We will also present the capabilities of these printed smart materials as force sensors and micro-scale actuators.

Plenty of Room Under the Skin: A Wearable’s Perspective: Sheng Xu1; 1University of California San Diego
    Wearable electronic devices that can noninvasively and continuously acquire vital signs from the human body represent an important trend for healthcare. Combined strategies of materials design and advanced microfabrication allow the integration of various components and devices on a wearable platform, resulting in functional systems with minimal constraints on the human body. Physiological signals in deep tissues are particularly valuable, because they have a stronger and faster correlation with the events in the human body than those signals on the skin surface. In this presentation, I will demonstrate a soft ultrasonic technology that can noninvasively and continuously acquire dynamic information about our deep tissues and central organs. I will demonstrate use cases of this soft ultrasonic technology in recording blood pressure and flow waveforms in central vessels, cardiac chamber activities, and core body temperatures. The soft ultrasonic technology represents a platform that holds profound implications for a wide range of applications in consumer electronics, sports medicine, defense, and clinical practices.

Multiprinter Additive Manufacturing of Flexible Thermoelectric Energy Harvesters Using Colloidal Nanoparticles: Ariel Briggs1; Tony Varghese1; Jacob Manzi1; Curtis Hill2; Harish Subbaraman3; David Estrada4; 1Boise State University; 2ESSCA/ Quantitech NASA MSFC; 3Boise State University, Center for Advanced Energy Studies; 4Boise State University, Center for Advanced Energy Studies, Idaho National Laboratory
    Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) enable direct conversion of heat into electricity without the need for moving parts. Among thermoelectric materials, Bi2Te3 and its alloys have been reported to have excellent thermoelectric performance at low temperatures (200-400 K) and are suitable for energy harvesting applications within space and nuclear systems. We use solvothermal methods to synthesize high purity Bi2Te3- based nanomaterials with fine control over material composition, crystal dimensions, and electrical properties that can be readily dispersed into an ink for additive manufacturing of flexible TEGs. This work demonstrates the development of flexible and high performance TEGs using multiple additive manufacturing methods, including screen printing, aerosol jet printing, and plasma jet printing. The low cost and scalable additive manufacturing methods developed in this work demonstrates a significant advancement in the field of thermoelectrics toward commercially viable technology for energy harvesting and remote sensing devices.