Laser treated hydrophobic paper: an inexpensive microsystem platform

目的和方法：本研究的目的是开发和表征一种新的方法，使用市售的疏水纸（例如，羊皮纸、蜡纸、调色板纸）。 该方法是使用激光表面处理这种纸，以选择性地将疏水区域转化为亲水区域，并使用这种转化来嵌入智能材料并将电子器件集成到纸上。 智力价值：拟议研究的智力价值在于对商业上可用的疏水纸进行激光表面处理以创建低成本微系统平台的科学和工程探索。特别是：1）调查常见的表面处理激光（二极管、CO2和Nd-YAG）与市售疏水纸的相互作用，2）开发将功能材料纳入激光处理纸的技术，3）将有源和无源元件纳入纸平台。更广泛的影响：拟议研究的更广泛影响涉及许多领域，包括低成本医疗保健产品、消费者/无线电子产品和微型机器人。 在人力资源开发方面，代表性不足和少数民族的本科生将有机会参与该项目的各个方面，并受益于微加工，MEMS，微流体，传感器和微电子学的接触和培训。 还将开设一门本科课程（题目：绿色电子学），重点是现代微电子技术对环境的影响，以提高对微电子学在环境退化和可持续性方面的巨大影响的认识。

Objective and Approaches:The objective of this research is to develop and characterize a novel method to create low-cost microsystem platforms using commercially available hydrophobic papers (e.g., parchment paper, wax paper, palette paper). The approach is to use laser surface treatment of such papers to selectively convert hydrophobic regions into hydrophilic ones and use such conversion to embed smart materials and integrate electronics onto the paper. Intellectual Merit:The intellectual merits of the proposed research lies in scientific and engineering exploration of laser surface treatment of commercially available hydrophobic papers to create low-cost microsystem platforms. In particular: 1) investigation of the interaction of common surface treating lasers (diode, CO2, and Nd-YAG) with commercially available hydrophobic papers, 2) development of techniques to incorporate functional materials into the laser treated papers, and 3) incorporation of active and passive components onto paper platforms.Broader Impacts:The broader impacts of the proposed research are in many areas including low-cost health care products, consumer/wireless electronics, and micro-robotics. In the human resource development, under-represented and minority undergraduate students will be given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the project and benefit from exposure to and training in microfabrication, MEMS, microfluidics, transducers, and microelectronics. An undergraduate course (Title: Green Electronics) with an emphasis on the environmental implications of modern microelectronics technology will also be developed to increase the awareness of the huge impact of microelectronics in environmental degradation and sustainability.