# Laser‐Architected Shape‐Configurable Vertical Graphene Thermoacoustic Loudspeakers for 3D Acoustic Emission

## TL;DR

A new laser-based method creates flexible, high-performance loudspeakers using graphene that can change shape and emit sound in 3D.

## Contribution

A dual-laser fabrication process produces vertically aligned graphene loudspeakers with superior sound output and shape adaptability.

## Key findings

- VrGO loudspeakers achieve 85 dB sound pressure levels at 10 kHz with excellent heat dissipation.
- The devices maintain over 75% sound output under 500% strain and after 1000 cycles.
- Patterned VrGO structures allow 2D–3D transformations and omnidirectional sound emission.

## Abstract

Recent advances in thermoacoustic (TA) loudspeakers have focused on freeform, conformal audio systems that enable conformal integration, spatial sound control, and seamless transformation between 2D and 3D geometries. However, their practical use remains limited by low sound pressure levels (SPLs) and poor mechanical adaptability, primarily due to insufficient thermal dissipation and structural rigidity. Here, we report a high‐performance, shape‐configurable TA loudspeaker based on vertically aligned reduced graphene oxide (VrGO), fabricated through a dual‐laser process combining continuous‐wave (CW) CO2 laser reduction with pulsed laser patterning. The CW laser induces vertical microstructuring and graphitization, enhancing thermal transport and reducing the heat capacity per unit area, while the pulsed laser enables precise patterning into complex geometries such as kirigami and 3D prismoids. The VrGO loudspeakers exhibit superior SPL (85 dB at 10 kHz), excellent heat dissipation, and high resilience, maintaining over 75% SPL under 500% strain and stable output over 1000 cycles. The patterned VrGO structures enable omnidirectional emission, conformal attachment, and 2D–3D transformation. Notably, even thick VrGO films retain strong acoustic performance, outperforming conventional TA devices. This scalable, material‐efficient strategy offers tunable directivity, adaptability, and multifunctionality for next‐generation wearable audio devices, interactive electronics, and conformal human–machine interfaces.

A dual‐laser‐architected vertical graphene film enables high‐performance, morphologically reconfigurable thermoacoustic loudspeakers.The vertically aligned graphene structures combine efficient heat dissipation, thickness‐independent SPL, and kirigami‐driven 3D transformations, offering shape‐programmable, stretchable, and omnidirectional acoustic systems for future wearable and human–machine interface applications.