Three-dimensional nanoprinting via charged aerosol focusing

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel 3D nano-printing method using charged aerosol focusing, enabling flexible, material-independent, and complex nanostructure fabrication with three complementary modes and a simple control theory.

Contribution

It presents a new 3D nano-printing technique based on charged aerosol focusing, allowing for versatile, hybrid, and complex nanostructure production with a simple theoretical control framework.

Findings

Developed a self-consistent electric field focusing method for nano-printing.

Demonstrated three complementary printing modes for complex structures.

Achieved broad material compatibility and control over nanostructure morphology.

Abstract

A powerful and flexible method of 3D nano-printing, based on focusing charged aerosol, has been developed. The self-consistent electric field configuration, created with a holey floating mask and used as the scaffold for printing structures, has no restriction as to sizes down to nano-scale. The electric field line is used as a writing tool. Broad material independence opens the way for producing hybrid structures that are essential for electronic devices. The method contains three modes which are complementary: controlled tip-directed 3D-growth printing, the writing mode (that can also produce 3D structures in repeating passages), and the stencil mode that produces wall-like structures of various shapes. Manipulating them gives freedom to manufacture complex 3D designs that we report. The desired morphology of the grown structures is controlled according to a simple phenomenological theory that helps organize the 2D stage motion and the 3D printing process to compete with the 3D printing provided by laser techniques in polymer based material.