Laser direct writing of functional microstructures in transparent soft materials using femtosecond laser

The scope of utilizing soft materials is expanding further in recent years because of the flexibility and the good biocompatibility. In this presentation, laser direct writing of microstructures that exhibits optical and/or electrical properties in and on soft materials by means of photoreduction and graphitization will be described. The fabrication of metal microstructures by multi-photon photoreduction within PEGDA and pNIPAM hydrogels will be reviewed in addition to recent results on applications toward soft actuators. Femtosecond laser direct writing of highly crystalline graphene from native PDMS as well as cellulose nanofiber films, a sustainable biomass, and its application for a highly sensitive piezoresistive sensor will also be presented.