ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR FABRICATING MICRO-NANO STRUCTURES

Smart overview of the Invention

An innovative method for additive manufacturing focuses on fabricating 3D nanostructures by precisely arranging charged species dispersed in a fluid using a configured electric field. This technique allows for the direct printing of these species onto a substrate, resulting in desired arrays of nanostructures. The process operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for chemical reactions, lasers, or photosensitive materials.

Advantages Over Existing Techniques

Micro-nano-scale additive manufacturing presents several benefits compared to traditional methods. It is cost-effective, requires simple equipment, and supports a wide range of materials. Unlike other techniques that are limited by material choices or slow printing speeds, this method enables the rapid production of complex 3D nanostructures with high aspect ratios and embedded heterostructures.

Technical Implementation

The method involves controlling the arrangement of charged species at the nanoscale by applying an electric field. Key parameters include:

• Characteristic sizes of charged species ranging from 0.1 nm to 10 μm.
• A variety of materials for charged species, including inorganic, organic, and composite materials.
• Control over the geometry and size of structures through electric field distribution and substrate movement.

Key Benefits

This additive manufacturing technique offers several significant advantages:

• Printing occurs under room temperature and atmospheric pressure, simplifying equipment needs.
• High uniformity and purity of printed structures due to the absence of impurities during the process.
• Fast printing capabilities allow for large-area production in a single pass, accommodating up to 100 million nanostructures.
• High resolution can be achieved down to 0.1 nm, enabling precise control over the printed features.

Conclusion

The proposed additive manufacturing method addresses critical limitations found in existing nanofabrication techniques, such as slow speeds and limited material options. By leveraging charged species and electric fields, it paves the way for efficient, high-resolution production of multi-material 3D nanostructures, making it a significant advancement in micro-nano-scale printing technology.