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Published chapter in Nanoporous Carbons for Soft and Flexible Energy Devices

LAMPSe was invited to contribute a chapter to the book “Nanoporous Carbons for Soft and Flexible Energy Devices“.

The chapter with the name “Laser-Induced Graphene and Its Applications in Soft (Bio)Sensors” features an overview from formation of LIG, properties to the application in soft (bio)sensors.

Abstract

In recent years the technological importance of graphene increased significantly also in the field of soft, flexible and wearable electronics. In this chapter a simple one step process to create 3D porous graphene structures into flexible polymer films is highlighted. By laser scribing polymer precursor substrates with commercially available laser scribing setups the polymer is converted into so-called Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) via a photothermal conversion. The properties of this material and the influence of different processing parameters on its composition and structure are introduced. Different transfer methods for stretchable applications are discussed. Three main application fields of LIG for soft (bio)sensors are identified: piezoresistive, electrophysiological and electrochemical sensors. Each of the application fields is highlighted more in detail and an overview of recent publications is given. Concluding with an outlook on the future of LIG – including improvement of patterning resolution and the use of renewable, bio-derived precursors – this chapter provides a broad overview of LIG for soft and flexible sensor devices.

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Third place at TU Graz SciPix audience vote

LAMPSe is proud to anounce that Francesco Greco and Matthias Gritzner won the third price in the audience vote of the photo competition held at TU Graz called TU Graz SciPix.

The photos show examples of the everyday research at TU Graz.

 

Francesco Greco was participating with a photo made by Matthias Gritzner during his bachelor thesis and shows UV ink contained in microfluidic channels made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic LIG.

Liquid Yin&Yang on laser induced graphene
A Yin&Yang symbol is formed by self-guidance and mixing of fluorescent dyes in water on top of a pattern of Laser Induced Graphene with tunable wettability (superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic).

Here you can see video of the microfluidics created with LIG. Fluorescent dyes are deposited on the LIG tracks and are guided down to the bottom because of the hydrophilic properties. At the bottom they come in contact with each other and form a Yin&Yang symbol. The liquid is confined by the hydrophobic LIG on the outside.

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News Publications

Review on Laser Induced Graphene and its use for Chemical Sensing – Open Access Paper

Three-Dimensional (3D) Laser-Induced Graphene: Structure, Properties, and Application to Chemical Sensing

LIG for Chemical sensors review summary

Federico Maria Vivaldi, Alexander Dallinger, Andrea Bonini, Noemi Poma, Lorenzo Sembranti, Denise Biagini, Pietro Salvo, Francesco Greco*, and Fabio Di Francesco*
Publication Date: June 24, 2021
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.1c05614

Abstract

Notwithstanding its relatively recent discovery, graphene has gone through many evolution steps and inspired a multitude of applications in many fields, from electronics to life science. The recent advancements in graphene production and patterning, and the inclusion of two-dimensional (2D) graphenic materials in three-dimensional (3D) superstructures, further extended the number of potential applications. In this Review, we focus on laser-induced graphene (LIG), an intriguing 3D porous graphenic material produced by direct laser scribing of carbonaceous precursors, and on its applications in chemical sensors and biosensors. LIG can be shaped in different 3D forms with a high surface-to-volume ratio, which is a valuable characteristic for sensors that typically rely on phenomena occurring at surfaces and interfaces. Herein, an overview of LIG, including synthesis from various precursors, structure, and characteristic properties, is first provided. The discussion focuses especially on transport and surface properties, and on how these can be controlled by tuning the laser processing. Progresses and trends in LIG-based chemical sensors are then reviewed, discussing the various transduction mechanisms and different LIG functionalization procedures for chemical sensing. A comparative evaluation of sensors performance is then provided. Finally, sensors for glucose detection are reviewed in more detail, since they represent the vast majority of LIG-based chemical sensors.

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TU Graz SciPix

LAMPSe is participating in the photo competition held at TU Graz called TU Graz SciPix.

The photos show examples of the everyday research at TU Graz.

 

Alexander Dallinger is participating with a scanning electron microscope image showing LIG and silver flakes forming a “glacier”.

The everlasting silver glacier
The glacier is formed by silver flakes on mountains of laser-induced graphene, arising from a plastic sheet after scribing with an infrared laser. The glacier is forcing its way down the valley and is connecting the conductive mountains together.

Francesco Greco is participating with a photo made by Matthias Gritzner during his bachelor thesis and shows UV ink contained in microfluidic channels made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic LIG.

Liquid Yin&Yang on laser induced graphene
A Yin&Yang symbol is formed by self-guidance and mixing of fluorescent dyes in water on top of a pattern of Laser Induced Graphene with tunable wettability (superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic).

You can participate in the online voting until the 31.05.2021.

Here you can see video of the microfluidics created with LIG. Fluorescent dyes are deposited on the LIG tracks and are guided down to the bottom because of the hydrophilic properties. At the bottom they come in contact with each other and form a Yin&Yang symbol. The liquid is confined by the hydrophobic LIG on the outside.