Focused microwaves allow 3D printers to fuse circuits onto almost anything

7 hours ago

Engineers at Rice University developed a device called Meta-NFS that uses microwaves to selectively cure conductive ink on delicate surfaces without damaging them.
The Meta-NFS focuses microwave energy into a tiny area (less than 200 micrometers), heating only the printed material to over 160°C while keeping surrounding areas cool.
It significantly improves energy transfer efficiency from 8.5% to 79.5% by using graphene as an intermediary, which absorbs up to 50% of microwave energy.
This technology allows real-time tuning of nanoparticles' crystal structure during printing, enabling variation in electrical resistivity by over three orders of magnitude.
It enables printing of conductive structures on sensitive substrates like living plant leaves, plastic, silicone, paper, and bovine femur bones.
Demonstrated applications include wireless strain sensors on bones and smart implants for real-time monitoring of joint wear without structural alterations.
The method maintained conductivity for over 5 minutes in water, compared to 2.5 seconds for unprotected circuits, highlighting durability.
Potential future uses include ingestible diagnostics, bionic organ interfaces, and soft robots with integrated electronics.

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