Last Updated on June 15, 2026 by Staff
Scientists in South Korea have come up with a way to print ultra-thin metal circuits that float on water. These circuits can be put on any surface like leaves, fruit skins, car bodies and robots. This new method is really good at placing circuits without damaging the surface.
A team of researchers led by Professor Inkyu Park from the Department of Mechanical Engineering made this breakthrough. They worked with experts from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials and Korea University. Their findings were published in Nature Communications. Could make a big difference in industries like smart farming, health care, robotics and bioelectronics.
Limits of Old Methods
There is already a way to make devices and sensors called nano-transfer printing. This old method has some big problems. It often needs temperatures, strong pressure or special chemicals to put electronic patterns on surfaces. These things can damage living things like plants and animals. They can also hurt the performance of parts.
The old method is not good for materials like leaves or flexible surfaces. So researchers wanted to find a more versatile way to put electronic patterns on delicate surfaces.
Circuits That Float on Water
The research team came up with an idea called Water-Floating Nano-Transfer Printing. They start by putting a thin layer of metal like gold or platinum on a special polymer mold. Then they use a treatment to create tiny gaps in the metal. When they put the metal in water the water gets into the gaps. Separates the metal from the mold. This makes the metal circuit float on the water.
The floating circuit can be put on an object by scooping it up. The object is put under the water. Then lifted up. As the water evaporates the circuit sticks to the surface. Once it is dry the circuit stays on the surface without needing any glue.
Working on Surfaces
One of the best things about this new technology is that it can work on surfaces that repel water like lotus leaves. To make it work researchers added a bit of ethanol to the water. This helped the floating circuits stick to the surface.
The method is very precise and reliable. It does not need heat, pressure or special chemicals so it can be used on delicate surfaces.
Future Applications
The team showed that this technology can be used to make sensors that can detect pesticides on plants. They also made a sensor that can detect hydrogen gas. This sensor is flexible and comfortable to wear.
Professor Park thinks that this technology could be used to make wearable electronics and bioelectronic systems. It could be used to monitor pesticides in crops, make health-monitoring wearables and create electronic skins for robots.
This new water-based approach could change the way electronic devices are made and used. It could lead to a generation of electronics that can work seamlessly with living things and soft materials.