Jang-Ung Park

High-Performance, Transparent, and Stretchable Electrodes Using Graphene–Metal Nanowire Hybrid Structures

Transparent electrodes that can remain electrically conductive and stable under large mechanical deformations are highly desirable for applications in flexible and wearable electronics. This paper describes a comprehensive study of the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of hybrid nanostructures based on two-dimensional graphene and networks of one-dimensional metal nanowires, and their use as transparent and stretchable electrodes. Low sheet resistance (33 Ω/sq) with high transmittance (94% in visible range), robust stability against electric breakdown and oxidation, and superb flexibility (27% in bending strain) and stretchability (100% in tensile strain) are observed, and these multiple functionalities of the hybrid structures suggest a future promise for next generation electronics. The use of hybrid electrodes to fabricate oxide semiconductor transistors and single-pixel displays integrated on wearable soft contact lenses with in vivo tests are demonstrated.

Synthesis of monolithic graphene-graphite integrated electronics.

Encoding electronic functionality into nanoscale elements during chemical synthesis has been extensively explored over the past decade as the key to developing integrated nanosystems with functions defined by synthesis. Graphene has been recently explored as a two-dimensional nanoscale material, and has demonstrated simple device functions based on conventional top-down fabrication. However, the synthetic approach to encoding electronic functionality and thus enabling an entire integrated graphene electronics in a chemical synthesis had not previously been demonstrated. Here we report an unconventional approach for the synthesis of monolithically integrated electronic devices based on graphene and graphite. Spatial patterning of heterogeneous metal catalysts permits the selective growth of graphene and graphite, with a controlled number of graphene layers. Graphene transistor arrays with graphitic electrodes and interconnects were formed from the synthesis. These functional, all-carbon structures were transferable onto a variety of substrates. The integrated transistor arrays were used to demonstrate real-time, multiplexed chemical sensing and more significantly, multiple carbon layers of the graphene-graphite device components were vertically assembled to form a three-dimensional flexible structure which served as a top-gate transistor array. These results represent substantial progress towards encoding electronic functionality through chemical synthesis and suggest the future promise of one-step integration of graphene-graphite based electronics.

Inorganic–organic hybrid materials for application in optical devices

Abstract Integrated passive and active optical devices are the key components in current and future data transfer technologies. In order to fulfill future requirements in miniaturization for diffractive, refractive and integrated optical devices, new materials with higher thermal stability and a better compatibility to processing techniques used in conventional semiconductor devices production are needed. Inorganic–organic hybrid polymers (ORMOCER®s) produced at fairly low costs with a high degree of reproducibility are now proven candidates. The materials can be functionalized such that their physical and chemical properties can be tailored towards, e.g. optical applications on wafer-scale such as waveguides, gratings or microoptical devices. The materials behave as a negative resist and can thus be patterned by UV exposure with good resolution. Besides, the materials are very well suited for thin and thick film packaging technology. We here particularly focus on materials for optical (telecom/microoptics) applications. The optical behavior is characterized and discussed with respect to the chemical functionalities. Additionally, some application examples of selected optical components are given, produced either by UV lithography or by replication technology.

Nanoscale patterns of oligonucleotides formed by electrohydrodynamic jet printing with applications in biosensing and nanomaterials assembly

The widespread use of DNA in microarrays for applications in biotechnology, combined with its promise in programmed nanomaterials assembly, unusual electronic devices, and other areas has created interest in methods for patterning DNA with high spatial resolution. Techniques based on thermal or piezoelectric inkjet printing are attractive due to their noncontacting nature and their compatibility with diverse materials and substrate types; their modest resolution (i.e., 10-20 microm) represents a major limitation for certain systems. Here we demonstrate the use of an operationally similar printing approach that exploits electrohydrodynamic forces, rather than thermal or acoustic energy, to eject DNA inks through fine nozzles, in a controlled fashion. This DNA printer is capable of resolution approaching 100 nm. A range of experiments on patterns of DNA formed with this printer demonstrates its key features. Example applications in DNA-directed nanoparticle assembly and DNA aptamer-based biosensing illustrate two representative uses of the patterns that can be formed.

Collapse of stamps for soft lithography due to interfacial adhesion

Collapse of elastomeric elements used for pattern transfer in soft lithography is studied through experimental measurements and theoretical modeling. The objective is to identify the driving force for such collapse. Two potential driving forces, the self-weight of the stamp and the interfacial adhesion, are investigated. An idealized configuration of periodic rectangular grooves and flat punches is considered. Experimental observations demonstrate that groove collapse occurs regardless of whether the gravitational force promotes or suppresses such collapse, indicating that self-weight is not the driving force. On the other hand, model predictions based on the postulation that interfacial adhesion is the driving force exhibit excellent agreement with the experimentally measured collapse behavior. The interfacial adhesion energy is also evaluated by matching an adhesion parameter in the model with the experimental data.

Highly Stretchable 2D Fabrics for Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerator under Harsh Environments

Highly stretchable 2D fabrics are prepared by weaving fibers for a fabric-structured triboelectric nanogenerator (FTENG). The fibers mainly consist of Al wires and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) tubes with a high-aspect-ratio nanotextured surface with vertically aligned nanowires. The fabrics were produced by interlacing the fibers, which was bonded to a waterproof fabric for all-weather use for fabric-structured triboelectric nanogenerator (FTENG). It showed a stable high-output voltage and current of 40 V and 210 μA, corresponding to an instantaneous power output of 4 mW. The FTENG also exhibits high robustness behavior even after 25% stretching, enough for use in smart clothing applications and other wearable electronics. For wearable applications, the nanogenerator was successfully demonstrated in applications of footstep-driven large-scale power mats during walking and power clothing attached to the elbow.

Stretchable and Transparent Electrodes using Hybrid Structures of Graphene–Metal Nanotrough Networks with High Performances and Ultimate Uniformity

Transparent electrodes that can maintain their electrical and optical properties stably against large mechanical deformations are essential in numerous applications of flexible and wearable electronics. In this paper, we report a comprehensive analysis of the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of hybrid nanostructures based on graphene and metal nanotrough networks as stretchable and transparent electrodes. Compared to the single material of graphene or the nanotrough, the formation of this hybrid can improve the uniformity of sheet resistance significantly, that is, a very low sheet resistance (1 Ω/sq) with a standard deviation of less than ±0.1 Ω/sq, high transparency (91% in the visible light regime), and superb stretchability (80% in tensile strain). The successful demonstration of skin-attachable, flexible, and transparent arrays of oxide semiconductor transistors fabricated using hybrid electrodes suggests substantial promise for the next generation of electronic devices.

Stretchable, Transparent Electrodes as Wearable Heaters Using Nanotrough Networks of Metallic Glasses with Superior Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability

Mechanical robustness, electrical and chemical reliabilities of devices against large deformations such as bending and stretching have become the key metrics for rapidly emerging wearable electronics. Metallic glasses (MGs) have high elastic limit, electrical conductivity, and corrosion resistance, which can be promising for applications in wearable electronics. However, their applications in wearable electronics or transparent electrodes have not been extensively explored so far. Here, we demonstrate stretchable and transparent electrodes using CuZr MGs in the form of nanotrough networks. MG nanotroughs are prepared by electrospinning and cosputtering process, and they can be transferred to various desired substrates, including stretchable elastomeric substrates. The resulting MG nanotrough network is first utilized as a stretchable transparent electrode, presenting outstanding optoelectronic (sheet resistance of 3.8 Ω/sq at transmittance of 90%) and mechanical robustness (resistance change less than 30% up to a tensile strain of 70%) as well as excellent chemical stability against hot and humid environments (negligible degradation in performance for 240 h in 85% relative humidity and 85 °C). A stretchable and transparent heater based on the MG nanotrough network is also demonstrated with a wide operating temperature range (up to 180 °C) and excellent stretchability (up to 70% in the strain). The excellent mechanical robustness of these stretchable transparent electrode and heater is ascribed to the structural configuration (i.e., a nanotrough network) and inherent high elastic limit of MGs, as supported by experimental results and numerical analysis. We demonstrate their real-time operations on human skin as a wearable, transparent thermotherapy patch controlled wirelessly using a smartphone as well as a transparent defroster for an automobile side-view mirror, suggesting a promising strategy toward next-generation wearable electronics or automobile applications.

Highly Transparent and Stretchable Field‐Effect Transistor Sensors Using Graphene–Nanowire Hybrid Nanostructures

Transparent and stretchable electronics with remarkable bendability, conformability, and lightness are the key attributes for sensing or wearable devices. Transparent and stretchable field-effect transistor sensors using graphene-metal nanowire hybrid nanostructures have high mobility (≈3000 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) ) with low contact resistance, and they are transferrable onto a variety of substrates. The integration of these sensors for RLC circuits enables wireless monitoring.

Nanoscale, Electrified Liquid Jets for High-Resolution Printing of Charge

Nearly all research in micro- and nanofabrication focuses on the formation of solid structures of materials that perform some mechanical, electrical, optical, or related function. Fabricating patterns of charges, by contrast, is a much less well explored area that is of separate and growing interesting because the associated electric fields can be exploited to control the behavior of nanoscale electronic and mechanical devices, guide the assembly of nanomaterials, or modulate the properties of biological systems. This paper describes a versatile technique that uses fine, electrified liquid jets formed by electrohydrodynamics at micro- and nanoscale nozzles to print complex patterns of both positive and negative charges, with resolution that can extend into the submicrometer and nanometer regime. The reported results establish the basic aspects of this process and demonstrate the capabilities through printed patterns with diverse geometries and charge configurations in a variety of liquid inks, including suspensions of nanoparticles and nanowires. The use of printed charge to control the properties of silicon nanomembrane transistors provides an application example.