Imbricate scales as a design construct for microsystem technologies

Seok Kim, Yewang Su, Agustin Mihi, Seungwoo Lee, Zhuangjian Liu, Tanmay K. Bhandakkar, Jian Wu, Joseph B. Geddes, Harley T. Johnson, Yongwei Zhang, Jung Ki Park, Paul V. Braun, Yonggang Huang, John A Rogers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Spatially overlapping plates in tiled configurations represent designs that are observed widely in nature (e.g., fish and snake scales) and man-made systems (e.g., shingled roofs) alike. This imbricate architecture offers fault-tolerant, multifunctional capabilities, in layouts that can provide mechanical flexibility even with full, 100% areal coverages of rigid plates. Here, the realization of such designs in microsystems technologies is presented, using a manufacturing approach that exploits strategies for deterministic materials assembly based on advanced forms of transfer printing. The architectures include heterogeneous combinations of silicon, photonic, and plasmonic scales, in imbricate layouts, anchored at their centers or edges to underlying substrates, ranging from elastomer sheets to silicon wafers. Analytical and computational mechanics modeling reveal distributions of stress and strain induced by deformation, and provide some useful design rules and scaling laws. An imbricate architecture design for microsystems is presented. It offers fault-tolerant, multifunctional capabilities in layouts that can provide mechanical flexibility even with full, 100% areal coverage of rigid plates. Such designs are implemented in flexible heterogeneous photonic surfaces including combinations of silicon, photonic, and plasmonic scales using a manufacturing approach based on transfer printing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)901-906
Number of pages6
JournalSmall
Volume8
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 26 2012

Keywords

  • biomimetics
  • flexible electronics
  • photonics
  • transfer printing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomaterials
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Biotechnology

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