KAIST researchers have developed the world's first 3D printing technology capable of producing ultra-small infrared sensors at one-tenth the thickness of a human hair. As market demand for robots increases, this technological development is expected to contribute to the lightweighting of robots.

On the 3rd, KAIST announced that Professor Kim Ji-tae's team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Oh Seung-joo from Korea University and Professor Tianshu Zhao from the University of Hong Kong, developed a technology to produce infrared sensors smaller than 10μm (micrometers) in desired shapes and sizes at room temperature. Infrared sensors are key components that convert infrared signals, invisible to the human eye, into electrical signals.

The existing semiconductor process-based manufacturing method was suitable for mass production but was inflexible in responding to rapidly changing technological demands and required high-temperature processes, limiting material options. To address this issue, the research team developed a 3D printing process that creates liquid ink in nanocrystal form from metal, semiconductor, and insulator materials, layering them to produce infrared sensors at room temperature, significantly reducing their size to a micro-scale.

This research is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and lightweighting of all devices using infrared sensors, such as robots. Professor Kim stated, "This will accelerate the development of innovative products that were previously unimaginable."

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