Pervasive liquid metal direct writing electronics with roller-ball pen

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel roller-ball pen method for direct writing of liquid metal electronics on flexible substrates, achieving high resolution and adaptability through simple mechanical control.

Contribution

It presents a new technique for fabricating liquid metal electronics using a roller-ball pen, enabling high-resolution, flexible, and adaptable electronic circuits at room temperature.

Findings

Achieved line width of 200 μm and thickness of 80 μm.

Demonstrated high wettability and adaptability of liquid metal droplets.

Enabled direct writing of flexible electronic devices.

Abstract

A roller-ball pen enabled direct writing electronics via room temperature liquid metal ink was proposed. With the rolling to print mechanism, the metallic inks were smoothly written on flexible polymer substrate to form conductive tracks and electronic devices. The contact angle analyzer and scanning electron microscope were implemented to probe the inner property of the obtained electronics. An ever high writing resolution with line width and thickness as 200{\mu}m and 80{\mu}m, respectively was realized. Further, with the administration of external writing pressure, GaIn24.5 droplets embody increasing wettability on polymer which demonstrates the pervasive adaptability of the roller-ball pen electronics.