Scientists 3-D print flexible electronics

Berlin: Scientists have developed a process to 3D-print transparent and flexible electronic circuits, paving the way for improved wearable devices in the future.

The electronics consists of a mesh of silver nanowires that can be printed in suspension and embedded in various flexible and transparent plastics, according to the researchers from the University of Hamburg and Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron in Germany.

This technology can enable new applications such as printable light-emitting diodes, solar cells or tools with integrated circuits. The researchers are demonstrating the potential of their process with a flexible capacitor, among other things. “The aim of this study was to functionalise 3D-printable polymers for different applications,” said Michael Rubhausen from the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science.