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Jing X, Li S, Zhu R, Ning X, Lin J. Miniature bioinspired artificial compound eyes: microfabrication technologies, photodetection and applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1342120. [PMID: 38433824 PMCID: PMC10905626 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1342120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
As an outstanding visual system for insects and crustaceans to cope with the challenges of survival, compound eye has many unique advantages, such as wide field of view, rapid response, infinite depth of field, low aberration and fast motion capture. However, the complex composition of their optical systems also presents significant challenges for manufacturing. With the continuous development of advanced materials, complex 3D manufacturing technologies and flexible electronic detectors, various ingenious and sophisticated compound eye imaging systems have been developed. This paper provides a comprehensive review on the microfabrication technologies, photoelectric detection and functional applications of miniature artificial compound eyes. Firstly, a brief introduction to the types and structural composition of compound eyes in the natural world is provided. Secondly, the 3D forming manufacturing techniques for miniature compound eyes are discussed. Subsequently, some photodetection technologies for miniature curved compound eye imaging are introduced. Lastly, with reference to the existing prototypes of functional applications for miniature compound eyes, the future development of compound eyes is prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Jing
- College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano and Ultra-precision Manufacturing, School of Mechatronic Engineering, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Shitao Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano and Ultra-precision Manufacturing, School of Mechatronic Engineering, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Rongxin Zhu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano and Ultra-precision Manufacturing, School of Mechatronic Engineering, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaochen Ning
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano and Ultra-precision Manufacturing, School of Mechatronic Engineering, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Jieqiong Lin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano and Ultra-precision Manufacturing, School of Mechatronic Engineering, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun, China
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On-the-Fly Formation of Polymer Film at Water Surface. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14153228. [PMID: 35956741 PMCID: PMC9370879 DOI: 10.3390/polym14153228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The self-propulsion of bodies floating in water is of great interest for developing new robotic and intelligent systems at different scales, and whenever possible, Marangoni propulsion is an attractive candidate for the locomotion of untethered micro-robots. Significant cases have been shown using liquid and solid surfactants that allow an effective propulsion for bodies floating on water to be achieved. Here, we show for the first time a strategy for activating a twofold functionality where the self-propulsion of a floating body is combined with the formation of a polymer thin film at the water surface. In fact, we demonstrate that by using polymer droplets with an appropriate concentration of solvent and delivering such drops at specific locations onto freely floating objects, it is possible to form “on-the-fly” thin polymer films at the free water surface. By exploiting self-propulsion, a polymer thin film can be formed that could cover quite extensive areas with different shapes depending on the motion of the floating object. This intriguing twice-functionality activated though a single phenomenon, i.e., film formation and related locomotion, could be used in perspective to perform complex operations at water surfaces, such as dynamic liquid packaging, cleaning, and moving away floating particles, monolayer films, or macro-sized objects, as discussed in the text.
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Inkjet Printing of Flexible Transparent Conductive Films with Silver Nanowires Ink. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11061571. [PMID: 34203673 PMCID: PMC8232118 DOI: 10.3390/nano11061571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The inkjet printing process is a promising electronic printing technique for large-scale, printed, flexible and stretchable electronics because of features such as its high manufacturing speed, environmental friendliness, simple process, low cost, accurate positioning, and so on. As the base material of printed conductive patterns, conductive ink is the foundation of the development of printed electronics technology, and directly affects the performance and the quality of electronic products. In this paper, conductive ink with silver nanowires (AgNWs) was prepared, with AgNWs of lengths of 2–5 µm and diameters of 20 nm or so, isopropyl alcohol and ethylene glycol as the mixed solvents, and modified polysilane as the wetting agent. We discussed the relationship between the formula of the AgNWs ink and the surface tension, viscosity, contact angle between ink droplet and poly(ethylene) terephthalate (PET) surface, as well as the film-forming properties of the ink. Further, we analyzed the effects of the number of printed layers and the ink concentration of the AgNWs on the microstructures, photoelectric properties and accuracy of the printed patterns, as well as the change in the sheet resistance of the film during different bending cycles. The experimental results show that flexible transparent conductive patterns with a light transmittance of 550 nm of 83.1–88.4% and a sheet resistance of 34.0 Ω∙sq−1–78.3 nm∙sq−1 can be obtained by using AgNWs ink of 0.38 mg∙mL−1 to 0.57 mg∙mL−1, a poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate temperature of 40 °C, a nozzle temperature of 35 °C, and heat treated at 60 °C for 10 min. These performances indicate the excellent potential of the inkjet printing of AgNWs networks for developing flexible transparent conductive film.
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Yuan W, Xu C, Xue L, Pang H, Cao A, Fu Y, Deng Q. Integrated Double-Sided Random Microlens Array Used for Laser Beam Homogenization. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12060673. [PMID: 34207625 PMCID: PMC8229250 DOI: 10.3390/mi12060673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Double microlens arrays (MLAs) in series can be used to divide and superpose laser beam so as to achieve a homogenized spot. However, for laser beam homogenization with high coherence, the periodic lattice distribution in the homogenized spot will be generated due to the periodicity of the traditional MLA, which greatly reduces the uniformity of the homogenized spot. To solve this problem, a monolithic and highly integrated double-sided random microlens array (D-rMLA) is proposed for the purpose of achieving laser beam homogenization. The periodicity of the MLA is disturbed by the closely arranged microlens structures with random apertures. And the random speckle field is achieved to improve the uniformity of the homogenized spot by the superposition of the divided sub-beams. In addition, the double-sided exposure technique is proposed to prepare the rMLA on both sides of the same substrate with high precision alignment to form an integrated D-rMLA structure, which avoids the strict alignment problem in the installation process of traditional discrete MLAs. Then the laser beam homogenization experiments have been carried out by using the prepared D-rMLA structure. The laser beam homogenized spots of different wavelengths have been tested, including the wavelengths of 650 nm (R), 532 nm (G), and 405 nm (B). The experimental results show that the uniformity of the RGB homogenized spots is about 91%, 89%, and 90%. And the energy utilization rate is about 89%, 87%, 86%, respectively. Hence, the prepared structure has high laser beam homogenization ability and energy utilization rate, which is suitable for wide wavelength regime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yuan
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; (W.Y.); (C.X.); (L.X.)
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Cheng Xu
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; (W.Y.); (C.X.); (L.X.)
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Li Xue
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; (W.Y.); (C.X.); (L.X.)
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Hui Pang
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Axiu Cao
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (H.P.); (Q.D.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (Y.F.); Tel.: +86-028-8510-1178 (A.C.); +86-1520-834-0157 (Y.F.)
| | - Yongqi Fu
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; (W.Y.); (C.X.); (L.X.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (Y.F.); Tel.: +86-028-8510-1178 (A.C.); +86-1520-834-0157 (Y.F.)
| | - Qiling Deng
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (H.P.); (Q.D.)
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Direct Ink Writing Technology (3D Printing) of Graphene-Based Ceramic Nanocomposites: A Review. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10071300. [PMID: 32630782 PMCID: PMC7407564 DOI: 10.3390/nano10071300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In the present work, the state of the art of the most common additive manufacturing (AM) technologies used for the manufacturing of complex shape structures of graphene-based ceramic nanocomposites, ceramic and graphene-based parts is explained. A brief overview of the AM processes for ceramic, which are grouped by the type of feedstock used in each technology, is presented. The main technical factors that affect the quality of the final product were reviewed. The AM processes used for 3D printing of graphene-based materials are described in more detail; moreover, some studies in a wide range of applications related to these AM techniques are cited. Furthermore, different feedstock formulations and their corresponding rheological behavior were explained. Additionally, the most important works about the fabrication of composites using graphene-based ceramic pastes by Direct Ink Writing (DIW) are disclosed in detail and illustrated with representative examples. Various examples of the most relevant approaches for the manufacturing of graphene-based ceramic nanocomposites by DIW are provided.
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Fang F, Tao X, Chen X, Wang H, Wu P, Zhang J, Zeng J, Zhu Z, Liu Z. Microlens Fabrication by Replica Molding of Electro-Hydrodynamic Printing Liquid Mold. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11020161. [PMID: 32028701 PMCID: PMC7074626 DOI: 10.3390/mi11020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we synergistically combine electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing and replica molding for the fabrication of microlenses. Glycerol solution microdroplets was sprayed onto the ITO glass to form liquid mold by an EHD printing process. The liquid mold is used as a master to fabricate a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold. Finally, the desired micro-optical device can be fabricated on any substrate using a PDMS soft lithography mold. We demonstrate our strategy by generating microlenses of photocurable polymers and by characterizing their optical properties. It is a new method to rapidly and cost-effectively fabricate molds with small diameters by exploiting the advantages of EHD printing, while maintaining the parallel nature of soft-lithography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Jihua Laboratory, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Xulei Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Jihua Laboratory, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Xun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (H.W.); (Z.L.); Tel.: +86-20-2388-0655 (H.W. & X.C.); +1-301-687-7799 (Z.L.)
| | - Han Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Jihua Laboratory, Foshan 528000, China
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (H.W.); (Z.L.); Tel.: +86-20-2388-0655 (H.W. & X.C.); +1-301-687-7799 (Z.L.)
| | - Peixuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiarong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ziming Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, School of Electromechanical Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Physics and Engineering, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD 21532, USA
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (H.W.); (Z.L.); Tel.: +86-20-2388-0655 (H.W. & X.C.); +1-301-687-7799 (Z.L.)
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Costa AC, Pimenta S, Ribeiro JF, Silva MF, Wolffenbuttel RF, Dong T, Yang Z, Correia JH. PDMS Microlenses for Focusing Light in Narrow Band Imaging Diagnostics. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19051057. [PMID: 30832271 PMCID: PMC6427716 DOI: 10.3390/s19051057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Minimally invasive medical devices can greatly benefit from Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) diagnostic capabilities, as different wavelengths allow penetration of distinct layers of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa, improving diagnostic accuracy and targeting different pathologies. An important performance parameter is the light intensity at a given power consumption of the medical device. A method to increase the illumination intensity in the NBI diagnostic technique was developed and applied to minimally invasive medical devices (e.g., endoscopic capsules), without increasing the size and power consumption of such instruments. Endoscopic capsules are generally equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating in the RGB (red, green, and blue) visible light spectrum. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) µ-lens was designed for a maximum light intensity at the target area of interest when placed on top of the LEDs. The PDMS µ-lens was fabricated using a low-cost hanging droplet method. Experiments reveal an increased illumination intensity by a factor of 1.21 for both the blue and green LEDs and 1.18 for the red LED. These promising results can increase the resolution of NBI in endoscopic capsules, which can contribute to early gastric lesions diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana C Costa
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities on Micro-Nano Systems Technology and Smart Transducing, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Detection, Institute of Applied Micro-Nano Science and Technology-IAMNST, Control and Integrated System, National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Nan'an District,Chongqing 400067, China.
- CMEMS-UMinho, Department of Industrial Electronics, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal.
| | - Sara Pimenta
- CMEMS-UMinho, Department of Industrial Electronics, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal.
| | - João F Ribeiro
- CMEMS-UMinho, Department of Industrial Electronics, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal.
| | - Manuel F Silva
- CMEMS-UMinho, Department of Industrial Electronics, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal.
| | | | - Tao Dong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities on Micro-Nano Systems Technology and Smart Transducing, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Detection, Institute of Applied Micro-Nano Science and Technology-IAMNST, Control and Integrated System, National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Nan'an District,Chongqing 400067, China.
- Faculty of Technology, Institute for Microsystems-IMS, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), Postboks 235, 3603 Kongsberg, Norway.
| | - Zhaochu Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities on Micro-Nano Systems Technology and Smart Transducing, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Detection, Institute of Applied Micro-Nano Science and Technology-IAMNST, Control and Integrated System, National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Nan'an District,Chongqing 400067, China.
| | - José H Correia
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities on Micro-Nano Systems Technology and Smart Transducing, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Detection, Institute of Applied Micro-Nano Science and Technology-IAMNST, Control and Integrated System, National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Nan'an District,Chongqing 400067, China.
- CMEMS-UMinho, Department of Industrial Electronics, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimaraes, Portugal.
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Loffredo F, Villani F, Cancro C, Nenna G, Borriello A, Miscioscia R, Minarini C, Roca F. Evaluation of the PMMA microlens efficiency for the realization of a solar micro-concentrator array. APPLIED OPTICS 2018; 57:4396-4401. [PMID: 29877384 DOI: 10.1364/ao.57.004396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In order to assess the performance of solar micro-concentrators, specific methods and protocols need to be developed, tested, and applied. In detail, as in conventional concentration modules, one of the fundamental parameters to consider is the efficiency of optical concentrators. In fact, optical concentrators give fundamental information on the current potentially generated from solar microcells that receive the concentrated light radiation. To develop a measurement method for micrometer-size optical components, a suitable optical system was implemented and used. Moreover, the potential application of the printed microstructures in an optical system for solar micro-concentrators was demonstrated.
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Onses MS, Sutanto E, Ferreira PM, Alleyne AG, Rogers JA. Mechanisms, Capabilities, and Applications of High-Resolution Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2015; 11:4237-4266. [PMID: 26122917 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201500593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This review gives an overview of techniques used for high-resolution jet printing that rely on electrohydrodynamically induced flows. Such methods enable the direct, additive patterning of materials with a resolution that can extend below 100 nm to provide unique opportunities not only in scientific studies but also in a range of applications that includes printed electronics, tissue engineering, and photonic and plasmonic devices. Following a brief historical perspective, this review presents descriptions of the underlying processes involved in the formation of liquid cones and jets to establish critical factors in the printing process. Different printing systems that share similar principles are then described, along with key advances that have been made in the last decade. Capabilities in terms of printable materials and levels of resolution are reviewed, with a strong emphasis on areas of potential application.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Serdar Onses
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanotechnology Research Center (ERNAM), Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Turkey
| | - Erick Sutanto
- The Dow Chemical Company, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Placid M Ferreira
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Andrew G Alleyne
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - John A Rogers
- Departments of Materials Science and Engineering, Beckman Institute and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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