Soft Micro-Electronics & plastic MEMS

Virgilio Mattoli

Soft electronics is an exciting new field of study that aims to seamlessly integrate electronic components and devices into non-rigid, non-planar complex surfaces and objects. One promising approach to achieving soft electronics is through the use of organic and solution-based technologies. This involves developing free-standing conformable circuits made of ultra-thin films of conjugated polymers that can be directly transferred onto skin or other complex surfaces, commonly referred to as "tattoo electronics". In the first part of my talk, I will review the recent achievements of our group in this field, with a focus on future applications in personal, imperceptible healthcare monitoring devices, active tattoos, and controllable drug delivery systems. In the second part of the talk, I will move from 2D to 3D plastic devices and discuss the applicability of the two-photon polymerization (2PP) approach to the direct fabrication of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). These systems are pervasive in our daily lives and are fundamental components in countless technological applications. I will present the perspectives, requirements, and challenges of the 2PP approach, with a focus on recent results from our group in terms of MEMS fabrication and integration within the framework of the EU-funded project 5D NanoPrinting.