Connect with us

Technology

NUS researchers develop a novel technique to fabricate three-dimensional circuits for advanced electronics

Published

2 years ago

on

CHARM3D paves the way for the efficient printing of free-standing 3D structures that offer high electrical conductivity, self-healing capabilities and recyclability — a boon for electronics in healthcare, communications and security

SINGAPORE, July 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Unlike traditional printed circuit boards, which are flat, 3D circuitry enables components to be stacked and integrated vertically — dramatically reducing the footprint required for devices.  Advancing the frontiers of 3D printed circuits, a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed a state-of-the-art technique – known as tension-driven CHARM3D – to fabricate three-dimensional (3D), self-healing electronic circuits. This new technique enables the 3D printing of free-standing metallic structures without requiring support materials and external pressure.

The research team led by Associate Professor Benjamin Tee from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the NUS College of Design and Engineering used Field’s metal to demonstrate how CHARM3D can fabricate a wide range of electronics, allowing for more compact designs in devices such as wearable sensors, wireless communication systems and electromagnetic metamaterials.

In healthcare, for instance, CHARM3D facilitates the development of contactless vital sign monitoring devices — enhancing patient comfort while enabling continuous monitoring. In signal sensing, it optimises the performance of 3D antennas, leading to improved communication systems, more accurate medical imaging and robust security applications.

The team’s findings were published in the journal Nature Electronics on 25 July 2024. Assoc Prof Tee is the corresponding author of the research paper.

A more streamlined approach to 3D circuit manufacturing

3D electronic circuits increasingly underpin modern electronics, from battery technology to robotics to sensors, enhancing their functionalities while enabling further miniaturisation. For example, 3D architectures, with their large effective surface areas, improve battery capacity and enhance sensor sensitivity.

Direct ink writing (DIW), a promising 3D printing technique currently used to fabricate 3D circuits, poses significant drawbacks. The crux lies in its use of composite inks, which have low electrical conductivity and entail support materials to aid in solidification after printing. The inks are also too viscous, limiting printing speed.

Enter Field’s metal, a eutectic alloy of indium, bismuth and tin. Eutectic alloys melt and freeze at a single temperature lower than the melting points of their constituent metals — offering an attractive alternative material for 3D printing. With a low melting point of 62 degrees Celsius, a high electrical conductivity and low toxicity, Field’s metal, unlike composite inks, solidifies rapidly — a crucial characteristic that enables the printing process to eschew support materials and external pressure.

Leveraging the low melting point of Field’s metal, the CHARM3D technique exploits the tension between molten metal in a nozzle and the leading edge of the printed part, culminating in uniform, smooth microwire structures with adjustable widths of 100 to 300 microns, roughly the width of one to three strands of human hair. Critically, phenomena such as beading and uneven surfaces — characteristic of pressure-driven DIW — are also absent in CHARM3D.

Compared to conventional DIW, CHARM3D offers faster printing speeds of up to 100 millimetres per second and higher resolutions, offering greater level of detail and accuracy in circuit fabrication. CHARM3D forgoes post-treatment steps and enables the fabrication of complex free-standing 3D structures, such as vertical letters, cubic frameworks and scalable helixes. Moreover, these 3D architectures exhibit excellent structural retention with self-healing capabilities, meaning they can automatically recover from mechanical damage and are recyclable.

“By offering a faster and simpler approach to 3D metal printing as a solution for advanced electronic circuit manufacturing, CHARM3D holds immense promise for the industrial-scale production and widespread adoption of intricate 3D electronic circuits,” said Assoc Prof Tee.

Far-reaching applications

The researchers successfully printed a 3D circuit for wearable battery-free temperature sensors, antennas for wireless vital sign monitoring and metamaterials for electromagnetic wave manipulation — capturing the diversity in applications enabled by CHARM3D.

Traditional hospital equipment such as electrocardiograms and pulse oximeters require skin contact, which can cause discomfort and risk infections. Through CHARM3D, contact-free sensors can be integrated into smart clothing and antennas, providing continuous, accurate health monitoring in hospitals, assisted-living facilities or home settings.

Furthermore, arrays of 3D antennas or electromagnetic metamaterial sensors — fabricated via CHARM3D — could optimise signal sensing and processing applications. This leads to improved signal-to-noise ratios and higher bandwidths. The technique opens up the possibility of creating specialised antennas for targeted communication, enabling more accurate medical imaging, such as microwave breast imaging for early tumour detection, and advanced security applications, such as detecting hidden devices or contraband emitting specific electromagnetic signatures.

Other collaborators in this work include Dr Zhuangjian Liu from Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s Institute of High Performance Computing and Professor Michael Dickey from North Carolina State University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Next steps

The research team envisions that this technique can be extended to other types of metals and structural applications. The team is also looking for opportunities to commercialise this unique approach for metal printing.

Read more here: https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-researchers-develop-technique-to-fabricate-three-dimensional-circuits/ 

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf0gnm0R4TM 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nus-researchers-develop-a-novel-technique-to-fabricate-three-dimensional-circuits-for-advanced-electronics-302208435.html

SOURCE National University of Singapore

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Sequel Brands Launches MOVE Powered by SEQUELai, the Company’s Sixth Brand and First Digital Wellness Platform

Published

23 minutes ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

MOVE closes the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it with an AI coach designed for everyone – not just people who already exercise.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sequel Brands today announced the launch of MOVE powered by SEQUELai, the company’s sixth brand and first digital wellness platform. Joining a portfolio that includes Pilates Addiction, BODY20, iFlex Stretch Studios, Beem Light Sauna, and Ultimate Longevity Center, MOVE is available now on iOS and Android for $5/month or $25/year – a price point designed to make personalized wellness more accessible, regardless of fitness background. The platform combines AI-powered coaching, personalized workouts, recovery guidance, nutrition support, and daily accountability to help users build healthier routines that last.

Despite widespread awareness of healthy living, millions of Americans still struggle to consistently put healthy habits into practice. According to the CDC, fewer than half of U.S. adults meet federal guidelines for aerobic physical activity. MOVE was built to close that gap by making healthy movement simple, achievable, and sustainable – especially for those who don’t consider themselves “fitness people.”

Extending Sequel’s Mission Beyond the Studio

For Sequel Founder and CEO Anthony Geisler, who has spent his career building and scaling some of the industry’s most recognizable studio brands – from Club Pilates and Pure Barre to Sequel’s portfolio today – MOVE is the culmination of a belief he has championed for years: movement is the foundation of better health. Through industry stages, interviews, and podcasts – including his keynote at last year’s Athletech News Innovation Summit – Geisler has consistently argued that America’s health challenge isn’t a lack of information; it’s turning knowledge into consistent action.

“Movement is medicine – it’s the catalyst for all other health habits. Get a workout in, and a bowl of ice cream stops sounding like a good idea. Skip it, and the rest of the day tends to follow,” said Geisler. “The goal with MOVE is simple: more people moving more often, in more accessible ways.”

SmartCoach: AI That Adapts as You Do

At the heart of MOVE is SmartCoach, an AI-powered wellness coach that creates a personalized plan based on each member’s goals, fitness level, and schedule – then continuously learns and adapts as they progress. While most wellness apps are built for people who already exercise regularly, SmartCoach is designed for the millions who don’t, meeting users where they are and helping them build sustainable habits over time. Beyond personalized coaching, MOVE delivers programming across strength, cardio, mobility, recovery, sleep, meditation, nutrition, mental wellness, women’s health, GLP-1 companion support, and clinically informed musculoskeletal (MSK) recovery.

The platform will continue to evolve with new AI-powered experiences. Upcoming features include MePod, a personalized weekly podcast that recaps each member’s progress and prepares them for the week ahead, and Daily Recommendations, a dynamic workout feed that updates in real time based on how each person is actually training. Wearables integration follows, connecting with fitness trackers and health apps members are already using.

AI-Powered Innovation Across the Sequel Ecosystem

MOVE marks the beginning of Sequel’s broader AI strategy. The company is already developing the next generation of AI-powered member experiences designed to help people build healthier daily habits that drive long-term health and longevity, while giving franchisees new ways to improve retention, deepen member relationships, and drive more visits to their studios.

“Technology should make healthy living easier, not more overwhelming,” said Alex Isaly, Sequel Brands’ President of Platform and AI Strategy. “MOVE meets people where they are, with coaching that adapts as they do. This is the first step in Sequel’s broader AI strategy to turn education into execution – creating better experiences for members and unlocking new ways to support our growing wellness ecosystem.”

The MOVE Smarter, Live Brighter Challenge

To celebrate the launch, Sequel is introducing the MOVE Smarter, Live Brighter Challenge, starting July 20. Designed for every fitness level, participants complete four sessions each week – including walking, strength, mobility, and sleep – for a total of 16 guided sessions, while a live in-app tracker measures the community’s total minutes of movement in real time. No gym, equipment, or fitness background is required to get started.

To join the challenge, download MOVE powered by SEQUELai, available now on iOS and Android, or visit sequelbrands.com/move-challenge.

ABOUT SEQUEL BRANDS
Sequel Brands is a next-generation fitness franchisor redefining the future of movement, recovery, wellness, and longevity. With an experienced leadership team and a portfolio of high-growth concepts – including Pilates Addiction, iFlex Stretch Studios, Beem Light Sauna, BODY20, Ultimate Longevity Center, and MOVE Powered by SEQUELai – Sequel delivers a scalable platform built for lasting success, cultural impact, and real results in how people move, recover, and optimize their longevity. For more information, visit sequelbrands.com. 

MEDIA CONTACTS
Sequel Brands Communications
E: communications@sequelbrands.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sequel-brands-launches-move-powered-by-sequelai-the-companys-sixth-brand-and-first-digital-wellness-platform-302830078.html

SOURCE Sequel Brands

Continue Reading

Technology

B&R Technology Merger Corp. Announces Pricing of $325 Million Initial Public Offering

Published

1 hour ago

on

July 20, 2026

By

NEW YORK, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — B&R Technology Merger Corp. (the “Company”) announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 32,500,000 units at $10.00 per unit. The units will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “BRTMU” commencing on July 21, 2026. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share of the Company and one-third of one warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share of the Company at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities constituting the units begin separate trading, the Company expects that the Class A ordinary shares and warrants will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols ” BRTM” and ” BRTMW,” respectively.

The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. It may pursue an initial business combination target in any business or industry.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”) is acting as sole bookrunner and representative of the underwriters. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 4,875,000 additional units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

This offering will only be made by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus relating to the offering and final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717 or by telephone at (800) 831-9146.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State or jurisdiction.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the proposed initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and preliminary prospectus for the Company’s offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/br-technology-merger-corp-announces-pricing-of-325-million-initial-public-offering-302830053.html

SOURCE B&R Technology Merger Corp.

Continue Reading

Technology

Paris-Planet Is Back with a Fresh New Way to Explore Paris

Published

1 hour ago

on

July 20, 2026

By

MONTREAL, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Planning a trip to Paris just got a little easier.

Paris-Planet has officially relaunched with a completely redesigned website that helps travelers discover and book some of Paris’s best museums, attractions, tours, and local experiences in one place.

The new site was built for people who want to spend less time jumping between dozens of websites and more time getting excited about their trip. Whether it’s your first visit to Paris or your fifth, Paris-Planet brings together the experiences that make the city unforgettable.

“We wanted to build the kind of website we would actually use ourselves,” said Chaz Desousa, founder of Paris-Planet. “There are so many incredible things to see in Paris, but planning a trip can quickly become overwhelming. Our goal was to make discovering and booking experiences simple, inspiring, and enjoyable.”

Visitors can browse everything from famous landmarks and museums to food tours, river cruises, walking tours, family activities, and seasonal events. Along with tickets and experiences, the site also features destination guides, travel tips, and ideas for making the most of every day in Paris.

The relaunch also includes a faster website, improved navigation, and a mobile-friendly design, making it easy for travelers to plan before they leave home or while they’re already exploring the city.

Activity provider can sign up here to Sell Paris Tours & Tickets Online

Paris remains one of the world’s most visited destinations, welcoming millions of visitors every year. Paris-Planet was created to help those travelers spend less time searching and more time experiencing everything the city has to offer.

About Paris-Planet

Paris-Planet is an online travel guide and booking platform focused exclusively on Paris. The website helps visitors discover museums, attractions, tours, activities, and unique local experiences while making trip planning simple and enjoyable.

For more information, visit www.paris-planet.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paris-planet-is-back-with-a-fresh-new-way-to-explore-paris-302829953.html

SOURCE Paris-Planet

Continue Reading

Trending