2026-10-11T17:09:38Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34020636 2026-09-29T03:12:23Z category_1 category_4 category_146 category_915 category_7 category_12 category_13 category_14 category_21 category_502 category_931 category_64 portal_63 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Direct Laser Writing of Functional Material with Independently Tunable Electrical and Mechanical Properties Yifan Chen (446592) Wing Ki Lo (17519355) Zeying Chen (16866956) Sen Yang (88300) Biophysics Biochemistry Space Science Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified Medicine Cell Biology Genetics Molecular Biology Biotechnology Astronomical and Space Sciences not elsewhere classified Information Systems not elsewhere classified Cancer spanning several orders functionally graded materials controlling phases within mechanical reinforcement phase mechanical nanoindentation shows compromise mechanical integrity np filler induce direct laser writing electrical characterization reveals independently tunable electrical tunable electrical mechanical properties independently tuned complex mechanical np composites electrical environments write platform work demonstrates vice versa step deposition soft robotics reducing agent ray spectroscopy primarily governed potential role polymer matrix moderate variation metal salt homogeneous metal homogeneous distribution functional material flexible electronics fabrication challenge engineering strategy elastic modulus dispersive x Functional materials with tunable electrical and mechanical properties are essential for technologies such as flexible electronics and soft robotics, where the device performance must adapt to complex mechanical and electrical environments. Conventional approaches often rely on blending conductive metal nanoparticles (NPs) into a polymer matrix, where the pursuit of high conductivity can compromise mechanical integrity, and vice versa. We report a reagent-engineering strategy for direct laser writing (DLW) that decouples this fabrication challenge. By formulating a precursor that combines a metal salt or metalate with a suspension of NPs as a reducing agent, we achieve the single-step deposition of homogeneous metal-NP composites. Electrical characterization reveals that conductivity is primarily governed by the choice of metal salt or metalate, spanning several orders of magnitude, while changes in the NP filler induce only a moderate variation. Mechanical nanoindentation shows that both the elastic modulus and the hardness of the composite are controlled by the size and type of the NP suspension, indicating its potential role as a mechanical reinforcement phase. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed a homogeneous distribution of both controlling phases within the deposit. This work demonstrates a direct-write platform where electrical and mechanical properties can be independently tuned through precursor design, offering a route to functionally graded materials. 2026-09-28T00:00:00Z Dataset Dataset 10.1021/acsomega.6c04927.s004 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Direct_Laser_Writing_of_Functional_Material_with_Independently_Tunable_Electrical_and_Mechanical_Properties/34020636 CC BY-NC 4.0