Soft 3D printed structures with integrated flexible electronics

材料科学和新制造工艺的最新进展推动了电气和机械工程的范式转变。代替刚性笨重的结构，如硅晶片和金属框架，软仿生方法的设想。新颖的半导体和聚合物衬底产生柔性电子器件，其可以不显眼地附接到生物或合成组织，并且用于实现自然符合静态或动态三维表面的传感器系统。与此同时，软材料的3D打印为实现可重构的机械系统提供了可能性，这些系统能够模仿人类皮肤或软机器人的变形能力和机械性能。通过使用先进的制造技术和材料，机械，电气和生物性能的并行优化为实现仿生系统提供了可能性，例如用于医疗保健应用。特别是，适应人工或生物系统的感觉贴片有望导致新类型的可穿戴设备，而不限制肢体或皮肤的运动或舒适性，支持运动员或患者的康复。本项目的目的是通过将可变形结构与柔性电子器件相结合，实现用于传感应用的单片集成电子器件的自适应系统，从而研究新的电子概念。这可以包括由液态金属、软传感器或可变形晶体管制成的互连。所有这些元素都应该结合起来检测与医疗保健或软机器人应用相关的参数。该项目将电气和机械工程与材料科学和创新的制造方法相结合。一个特别的重点将是使用最近获得的高分辨率Optomec气溶胶喷射打印机。最终将使用薄膜技术和软橡胶材料的3D打印实现智能仿生系统。

Recent advances in materials science and new fabrication processes drive a paradigm shift in electrical and mechanical engineering. Instead of rigid bulky structures such as silicon wafers and metal frames, soft biomimetic approaches are envisioned. Novel semiconductors and polymeric substrates result in flexible electronics which can be unobtrusively attached to biological or synthetic tissue and be used to realize sensor systems which naturally conform to static or dynamic three-dimensional surfaces. At the same time, 3D printing of soft materials offers the possibility to realize mechanical systems which are reconfigurable and able to mimic the deformability and mechanical properties of human skin or soft robots.The parallel optimization of mechanical, electrical, and biological properties by using advanced fabrication techniques and materials offers the possibility to realize biomimetic systems e.g. for healthcare applications. In particular, sensory patches adapting to the artificial or biological systems promise to lead to new kinds of wearables not restricting the movement or comfort of limbs or skin, supporting athletes or the rehabilitation of patients.The aim of this project is to work on novel electronics concepts by combining deformable structures with flexible electronics to realize adaptable systems with monolithically integrated electronics for sensing applications. This can include interconnections made from liquid metals, soft sensors or deformable transistors. All these elements should be combined to detect parameters relevant for healthcare or soft robotics applications.This project combines electrical and mechanical engineering with material science and innovative fabrication methods. A particular focus will be set on using a recently acquired high resolution Optomec Aerosol Jet printer. Ultimately a smart biomimetic system will be realized using thin film technology and 3D printing of soft rubber materials.