As the demand for thinner, lighter, and more flexible electronic devices grows, the need for advanced manufacturing processes has become critical. Polyimide (PI) films are widely used in these applications due to their excellent thermal stability and mechanical flexibility. They are crucial for emerging technologies like rollable displays, wearable sensors, and implantable photonic devices.
However, when the thickness of these films is reduced below 5 μm, traditional laser lift-off (LLO) techniques often fail. Mechanical deformation, wrinkling, and leftover residues frequently compromise the quality and functionality of ultrathin devices, making the process inefficient and costly.
In this view, researchers turned to graphene, a nanomaterial known for its exceptional thermal and mechanical properties. A research team from Seoul National University of Science and Technology, led by Professor Sumin Kang, has designed a novel technique to overcome the challenges with the LLO process.
Their innovative graphene-enabled enhanced laser lift-off (GLLO) method ensures ultrathin displays can be separated smoothly and without damage—making them perfect for wearable applications. Their study was published in the journal Nature Communications on September 27, 2024.
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