Self-assembling of nanomaterials via droplet manipulation for multifunctional optoelectronics

The ability to rapidly and precisely construct multifunctional electronic and optic devices would enable myriad applications, including displays, solid-state lighting, wearable electronics and biomedical devices with... [ view full abstract ]

The ability to rapidly and precisely construct multifunctional electronic and optic devices would enable myriad applications, including displays, solid-state lighting, wearable electronics and biomedical devices with embedded circuitry. Here, the droplet manipulation strategy is demonstrated for rapidly patterning materials over a broad range of compositions and accurately achieving the correct position at the micro- and nanoscale. Firstly, 0D microdots are connected by 1D microwires through regulating the Rayleigh-Taylor instability of materials solution or suspension, which display bright dichromatic photoluminescence. Secondly, a 3D liquid self-shaping strategy is developed for rapidly patterning materials over a series of compositions and accurately achieving micro- and nanoscale structures. The 3D architectures achieved by two different quantum dots show non-interfering optical properties with feature resolution below 3 μm. Thirdly, three-primary-color fluorescent nanoparticles can also be integrated by successively printed with retention of their individual photoluminescence efficiency (5% variances). Yellow, magenta, cyan and white colors with clearly defined interfaces are achieved to reduce the optical cross-talk effect. Finally, nanoparticle-based curves are assembled through pillar-patterned silicon template-induced printing, and integrated as flexible sensors to perform complex recognition of human facial expression. Optimal interconnect are spontaneously patterned between certain nodes on diverse substrates, as natural systems spontaneously figuring out the shortest path. The optimal interconnect leads to a 65.9 percent decrease in the electromagnetic interference. Therefore, self-assembling of nanomaterials via droplet manipulation is achieved in all dimensions for multifunctional optoelectronics.