[INVITED] Laser-induced forward transfer: A high resolution additive manufacturing technology

• Pros and cons of Laser-Induced Forward Transfer as a digital printing technology.
• Emerging applications of LIFT process.
• Laser printing at high velocity.

Among the additive manufacturing techniques, laser-induced forward transfer addresses the challenges of printing thin films in solid phase or small volume droplets in liquid phase with very high resolution. This paper reviews the physics of this process and explores the pros and cons of this technology versus other digital printing technologies. The main field of applications are printed electronics, organic electronics and tissue engineering, and the most promising short terms ones concern digital laser printing of sensors and conductive tracks. Future directions and emerging areas of interest are discussed such as printing solid from a liquid phase and 3D digital nanomanufacturing.