Bioinspired network designs are widely exploited in biointegrated electronics and tissue engineering because of their high stretchability, imperfection insensitivity, high permeability, and biomimetic J-shaped stress-strain responses. However, the fabrication of three-dimensionally (3D) architected electronic devices with ordered constructions of network microstructures remains challenging. Here, we introduce the tensile buckling of stacked multilayer precursors as a unique route to 3D network materials with regularly distributed 3D microstructures. A data-driven topology optimization framework enables efficient search of the optimal 2D precursor pattern that maximizes out-of-plane dimension of the resulting 3D network material. Computational and experimental results demonstrate rational assembly of optimal multilayer precursor structures into well-architected 3D network materials with an evident interlayer separation. The resulting 3D network materials offer anisotropic, tunable J-shaped stress-strain curves, which can be tailored to reproduce stress-strain responses of biological tissues. Demonstration of reconfigurable volumetric 3D display suggests rich application opportunities in biointegrated electronics and tissue scaffolds.
Hu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.