SINGAPORE – Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Panasonic Factory Solutions Asia Pacific; and Singapore Center for 3-D Printing have developed a new multi-material printer using multi-wavelength high-power lasers for quick and easy 3-D printing of smart, flexible devices.

The multi-material printer works by utilizing varying wavelengths of laser, creating thermal and chemical reactions capable of transforming common carbon-based materials (polyimide and graphene oxide) into a new type of highly porous graphene. The resulting structure printed with this new graphene is not only light and conductive, but it can also be printed or coated onto flexible substrates like plastics, glass, gold and fabrics, creating flexible devices.

Electronic devices and components have traditionally been comprised of rigid materials such as metals, silicon, and ceramics, but there has been an increasing interest in the creation of flexible wearable electronics that can be bent, twisted, and easily conformed to various surfaces.

"Our project aims to find a way to 3-D print new materials like organic polymers and carbon-based materials like graphene, which has properties that allow them to be printed or coated onto flexible substrates like plastics or fabrics, creating flexible and stretchable circuits," said project co-leader Murukeshan Vadakke Matham, an associate professor from NTU School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and SC3DP, the national center of excellence in 3-D printing housed at NTU.

"3-D printed flexible electronics paves the way for more comfortable and mobile wearable devices as it can be lighter and smaller," added Murukeshan, who is also principal investigator at Singapore's National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC). "We can now create unique structures that were previously impossible with traditional rigid electronics."

3-D printed sensor for smart intravenous fluid bag

The newly created 3-D printer has already attracted interest from various companies, including American multinational manufacturer Jabil-MTI Penang.

Jabil-MTI Penang aims to integrate 3-D printed graphene-based electronics into a smart infusion system. A proof of concept has been demonstrated through a prototype of a low-cost intravenous (IV) fluid bag with an embedded printed sensor powered by artificial intelligence. The device monitors the status of the IV drip, regulates parameters such as pressure flow and temperature, and transmits the information to a smartphone in real-time. This allows medical personnel to remotely monitor, control and detect abnormally efficiently.

The research team also tested the possibility of integrating 3-D printed components into the fabrication of high-performing electronics like pressure sensors and heaters.

"We greatly value NTU and Panasonic teams' creative thinking and innovative approach, and we are excited about the possibilities for future collaborations," said Jabil-MTI Penang Project Manager Lim Lai Ming. "We eagerly look forward to exploring further opportunities to work together and leverage both their teams' exceptional innovation expertise."

""Our technology allows the creation of highly porous and conductive graphene-based material for use in different applications," said project co-leader Dr. Low Mun Ji, general manager of Panasonic. "Compared to traditional graphene manufacturing methods, our method is faster, cheaper, and highly compatible with a wide range of materials."

The NTU-Panasonic team believes that the newly created 3-D printer offers a level of flexibility and functionality unmatched by other similar products in the market. The project members said the innovation has the potential to revolutionize the field of 3-D printing and open new possibilities for new product design and innovation.

The project between NTU and Panasonic to develop the new multi-material printer was launched in 2016 with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) under the Industrial Post-graduate Program (IPP). Over the years, the project team has filed two patents, presented at 11 international conferences, and published 11 papers. It has also supported three Panasonic scientists and engineers who completed a doctorate degree from NTU.

"At the Singapore Center for 3-D Printing (SC3DP) we are investigating the use of additive manufacturing for many applications and industrials sectors, including electronics and wearable devices," said SC3DP Executive Director Paulo Bartolo. "Panasonic is a strategic partner, and I am very pleased with the excellent results achieved through this project. This was possible thanks to the hard work of the team of researchers from both SC3DP and Panasonic. The project is a good example of the technical and scientific capabilities available at our center, and how we can support the industry and create value."

As next steps, Panasonic has set up a new facility for laser-based manufacturing systems at its research hub in Singapore, to enable further trials of concepts using components fabricated by the multi-material printer, as part of "Autonomous Factory"—a Panasonic concept for smart factories of the future. The new facility is to be led by Dr. Low and researchers Dr. Nicholas Tham and Dr. Joel Lim, who were also involved in the joint NTU-Panasonic project.

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