Next Wearable Tech May Come From Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers could in the future be used to make pliable robots and stretchable garments that people would wear to interact with computers.

"Liquid metal in its native form is not inkjet-able," Rebecca Kramer says. "So what we do is create liquid metal nanoparticles that are small enough to pass through an inkjet nozzle." frankieleon, CC BY

Inkjet printers could in the future be used to make pliable robots and stretchable garments that people would wear to interact with computers or use for therapeutic purposes.

But soft machines aren’t commercially feasible, yet. New manufacturing techniques still need to be developed, says Rebecca Kramer, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University.

“We want to create stretchable electronics that might be compatible with soft machines, such as robots that need to squeeze through small spaces, or wearable technologies that aren’t restrictive of motion,” she says. “Conductors made from liquid metal can stretch and deform without breaking.”

Flexible and Stretchable

A new potential manufacturing approach focuses on harnessing inkjet printing to create devices made of liquid alloys.

“This process now allows us to print flexible and stretchable conductors onto anything, including elastic materials and fabrics,” Kramer says.

This process now allows us to print flexible and stretchable conductors onto anything, including elastic materials and fabrics

— Rebecca Kramer