Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technology—a roll-to-roll laser-induced superplasticity process that can be used to print ultra-fast nanoscale electronic devices.

This process is similar to the roll-to-roll printing process of newspaper printing, which can produce smoother, softer metal lines for the production of high-speed electronic devices, greatly increasing the production speed of electronic devices.

Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and many other electronic devices rely on their internal metal circuitry for high-speed processing of information. Current metal circuit fabrication methods generally involve forming a metal line by passing a thin liquid metal droplet through a reticle having a target line shape, which is somewhat like graffiti on a wall. However, the metal lines produced by this technology have a very rough surface, which causes the electronic device to heat up more quickly, thereby draining the battery faster.

Future high-speed electronic devices also require smaller metal components, and the production of smaller nano-scale metal components requires higher resolution.

Today, carbon dioxide lasers are very common in industrial cutting and engraving, and Purdue's new process makes it possible to fabricate nano-scale smooth metal lines with conventional carbon dioxide lasers.

This technique can induce 'superplasticity' of various metals by applying high-energy laser irradiation in a short time, which enables the metal to flow into the pattern of the nano-scale features of the rolling stamper.