Advances in Printing and Electronics: From Engagement to Commitment

Abstract

In recent years, printed electronics reached enormous popularity as a result of their huge potential to offer unique features that are not attainable through traditional fabrication, namely low‐cost production, multifunctionality, stretchability, sustainability, and flexibility. Being expected a galloping increase in the use of printed technologies in the near future, due to the digitalization efforts associated with the Internet of Things and the 4.0 revolution, it is timely and desirable to discuss the joint features, the interrelations, the complementarities, the interdependency, and the most demanding challenges linked to the relation between printed technologies and electronic materials. In this context, this study offers a broad review of the numerous printing technologies used in the processing of electronics, commonly used substrates, the most effective printed electronic materials, and the key post‐printing treatments such as sintering. Disruptive challenges in various printing techniques, (un)expected future research directions of printed electronics, and imminent application trends are also highlighted, following a critical and subjective perspective.

Development of a Flexible and Wearable Microelectrode Array Patch Using a Screen-Printed Masking Technique for Accelerated Wound Healing

“…Advances in flexible electronics have gone way past conventional photolithography techniques to printing technology. − Screen printing is a very reliable method of fabricating modern flexible sensors because of several advantages like a large area, high yield, lightweightness, and cost-effectiveness along with the ability to tune sensor properties through the use of various inks pertaining to specific applications. − Recently, this technique has also been used to develop miniaturized electrodes for ES applications by various users. Ravichandran et al have developed a customized muscle ES neuro-prosthesis patch to stimulate targeted muscles by screen-printing silver ink as stimulation electrodes over a flexible Ecoflex substrate .…”

Importance of the Heat Treatment Scheme on Self-Reducing Reactive Silver Inks

“…After printing, nanoparticle inks often employ a heat treatment (HT) step at over 200 °C to decompose organic capping agents and stabilizers and to sinter the particles into a continuous film. , These processing temperatures are incompatible with those of some substrates. For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common material for flexible electronics, has a glass transition temperature between 70 and 110 °C . Other substrates with low thermal stability include textiles/fabrics − and some solar cell architectures. − Conductive inks with lower processing temperatures are essential to enable printed electronics on thermally sensitive substrates.…”

Integrated pH Sensors Based on RuO2/GO Nanocomposites Fabricated Using the Aerosol Jet Printing Method

“…Printing techniques are a widely explored method for the precise patterning of advanced nanomaterials and are used in various applications, including flexible displays, electronics packaging, and health-related sensors. − Among the established printing methods, aerosol jet printing (AJP), a 2D printing method, is a relatively recent addition to the printing toolbox. Its noncontact nature allows for precise, high-resolution structures, reaching as fine as 10 μm. , The noncontact feature minimizes contamination and material damage, ensuring sensor integrity.…”