Assembly of micro/nanomaterials into complex, three-dimensional architectures by compressive buckling

TLDR

Manufacturing curved, thin, flexible 3D structures from 2D materials is challenging at small scales. Xu et al. present a design strategy that uses out‑of‑plane buckling of planar layouts to microfabricate complex 3D mesostructures. They use finite‑element analysis to design two 2D patterns attached to a strained substrate; relaxing the substrate bends and buckles the patterns into the desired 3D shape.

Abstract

Popping materials and devices from 2D into 3D Curved, thin, flexible complex three-dimensional (3D) structures can be very hard to manufacture at small length scales. Xu et al. develop an ingenious design strategy for the microfabrication of complex geometric 3D mesostructures that derive from the out-of-plane buckling of an originally planar structural layout (see the Perspective by Ye and Tsukruk). Finite element analysis of the mechanics makes it possible to design the two 2D patterns, which is then attached to a previously strained substrate at a number of points. Relaxing of the substrate causes the patterned material to bend and buckle, leading to its 3D shape. Science , this issue p. 154 ; see also p. 130