Large‐Scale Direct‐Writing of Aligned Nanofibers for Flexible Electronics

Nanofibers/nanowires usually exhibit exceptionally low flexural rigidities and remarkable tolerance against mechanical bending, showing superior advantages in flexible electronics applications. Electrospinning is regarded as a powerful process for this 1D nanostructure; however, it can only be able to produce chaotic fibers that are incompatible with the well‐patterned microstructures in flexible electronics. Electro‐hydrodynamic (EHD) direct‐writing technology enables large‐scale deposition of highly aligned nanofibers in an additive, noncontact, real‐time adjustment, and individual control manner on rigid or flexible, planar or curved substrates, making it rather attractive in the fabrication of flexible electronics. In this Review, the ground‐breaking research progress in the field of EHD direct‐writing technology is summarized, including a brief chronology of EHD direct‐writing techniques, basic principles and alignment strategies, and applications in flexible electronics. Finally, future prospects are suggested to advance flexible electronics based on orderly arranged EHD direct‐written fibers. This technology overcomes the limitations of the resolution of fabrication and viscosity of ink of conventional inkjet printing, and represents major advances in manufacturing of flexible electronics.