Reinforced Magnetic-Responsive Electro-Ionic Artificial Muscles by 3D Laser-Induced Graphene Nano-Heterostructures.

Efficient ion transport and enriched responsive modals via modulating electrochemical properties of conductivity and capacitance are essential for soft electro-ionic actuators. However, cost-effective and straightforward approaches to achieve expedited fabrication of active electrode materials capable of multimodal-responsiveness remain limited. Herein, this work reports the one-step ultrafast laser direct patterning method, to readily synthesize electro- and magneto-active electrode material, derived from the unique cobalt-phosphorus co-doped core-shell heterostructures within 3D graphene frameworks, for fulfilling the dual-mode responsive electro-ionic actuators.

Conformal Fabrication of Thick Film Platinum Strain Gauge Via Error Regulation Strategies for In Situ High-Temperature Strain Detection.

Monitoring high-temperature strain on curved components in harsh environments is a challenge for a wide range of applications, including in aircraft engines, gas turbines, and hypersonic vehicles. Although there are significant improvements in the preparation of high-temperature piezoresistive film on planar surfaces using 3D printing methods, there are still difficulties with poor surface compatibility and high-temperature strain testing on curved surfaces. Herein, a conformal direct ink writing (CDIW) system coupled with an error feedback regulation strategy was used to fabricate high-precision, thick films on curved surfaces.

All-Three-Dimensionally-Printed AgPd Thick-Film Strain Gauge with a Glass-Ceramic Protective Layer for High-Temperature Applications.

A high-temperature thin/thick-film strain gauge (TFSG) shows development prospects for in situ strain monitoring of hot-end components due to their small perturbations, no damage, and fast response. Direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing is an emerging and facile approach for the rapid fabrication of TFSG. However, TFSGs prepared based on 3D printing with both high thermal stability and low temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) over a wide temperature range remain a great challenge.

La(Ca)CrO-Filled SiCN Precursor Thin Film Temperature Sensor Capable to Measure up to 1100 °C High Temperature.

Thin-film sensors are regarded as advanced technologies for in situ condition monitoring of components operating in harsh environments, such as aerospace engines. Nevertheless, these sensors encounter challenges due to the high-temperature oxidation of materials and intricate manufacturing processes. This paper presents a simple method to fabricate high temperature-resistant oxidized SiCN precursor and La(Ca)CrO composite thin film temperature sensors by screen printing and air annealing.

Oxidation and Ablation Behavior of Particle-Filled SiCN Precursor Coatings for Thin-Film Sensors.

Polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) thin-film sensors have a very high potential for extreme environments. However, the erosion caused by high-temperature airflow at the hot-end poses a significant challenge to the stability of PDC thin-film sensors. Here, we fabricate a thin-film coating by PDC/TiB/B composite ceramic material, which can be used to enhance the oxidation resistance and ablation resistance of the sensors.

Rapid Printing of High-Temperature Polymer-Derived Ceramic Composite Thin-Film Thermistor with Laser Pyrolysis.

Polymer-derived ceramic (PDC)-based high-temperature thin-film sensors (HTTFSs) exhibit promising applications in the condition monitoring of critical components in aerospace. However, fabricating PDC-based HTTFS integrated with high-efficiency, high-temperature anti-oxidation, and customized patterns remains challenging. In this work, we introduce a rapid and flexible selecting laser pyrolysis combined with a direct ink writing process to print double-layer high-temperature antioxidant PDC composite thin-film thermistors under ambient conditions.

Thin-Film Platinum Resistance Temperature Detector with a SiCN/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Protective Layer by Direct Ink Writing for High-Temperature Applications.

In situ temperature monitoring of curved high-temperature components in extreme environments is challenging for a variety of applications in fields such as aero engines and gas turbines. Recently, extrusion-based direct ink writing (DIW) has been utilized to fabricate platinum (Pt) resistance temperature detectors (RTDs). However, the current Pt RTD prepared by DIW technology suffers from a limited temperature range and poor high-temperature stability.

Nanofiber self-consistent additive manufacturing process for 3D microfluidics.

3D microfluidic devices have emerged as powerful platforms for analytical chemistry, biomedical sensors, and microscale fluid manipulation. 3D printing technology, owing to its structural fabrication flexibility, has drawn extensive attention in the field of 3D microfluidics fabrication. However, the collapse of suspended structures and residues of sacrificial materials greatly restrict the application of this technology, especially for extremely narrow channel fabrication.

Laser Fabrication of Polymer-Derived Ceramic Composite Thin-Film Sensors for Harsh Environments.

Polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) is considered an excellent sensing material for harsh environments such as aero-engines and nuclear reactors. However, there are many inherent limitations not only in pure PDC but also in its common fabrication method by furnace thermolysis. Therefore, this study proposes a novel method of rapid fabrication of PDC composite thin-film sensors by laser pyrolysis.

Multistage Digital-to-Analogue Chip Based on a Weighted Flow Resistance Network for Soft Actuators.

A control chip with a multistage flow-rate regulation function based on the correlation between the flow resistance and flow rate has been developed in this article. Compared with the traditional proportional solenoid valve, this kind of flow valve based on microfluidic technology has the characteristics of being light-weight and having no electric drive. It solves such technical problems as how the current digital microfluidic chip can only adjust the flow switch, and the adjustment of the flow rate is difficult.

A microfluidically controlled concave-convex membrane lens using an addressing operation system.

Electrical control toolkits for microlens arrays are available to some extent, but for applications in environments with strong electromagnetic fields, radiation, or deep water, non-electrical actuation and control strategies are more appropriate. An integrated digital microfluidic zoom actuating unit with a logic addressing unit for a built-in membrane lens array, e.g.

Effect of Enhanced Squeezing Needle Structure on the Jetting Performance of a Piezostack-Driven Dispenser.

Advanced dispensing technology is urgently needed to improve the jetting performance of fluid to meet the requirements of electronic product integration and miniaturization. In this work, an on-off valve piezostack-driven dispenser was used as a study object to investigate the effect of needle structure on jetting performance. Based on fluid dynamics, we investigated nozzle cavity pressure and jet velocity during the dispensing process using theoretical simulation for needles with and without a side cap.

Direct write micro/nano optical fibers by near-field melt electrospinning.

A simple fabrication method of micro/nano-optical fibers (MNOFs) based on near-field melt electrospinning (NMES) is proposed in this Letter. Single fibers with diameters ranging from 500 nm to 6 μm were directly written by near-field electrospinning of molten poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The morphology and transmission characteristics of single PMMA MNOFs were experimentally measured.