A single micro-LED manipulation system based on micro-gripper.

Micro-LEDs (μLEDs) have advantages in terms of brightness, power consumption, and response speed. In addition, they can also be used as micro-sensors implanted in the body via flexible electronic skin. One of the key techniques involved in the fabrication of μLED-based devices is transfer printing. Although numerous methods have been proposed for transfer printing, improving the yield of μLED arrays is still a formidable task. In this paper, we propose a novel method for improving the yield of μLED arrays transferred by the stamping method, using an innovative design of piezoelectrically driven asymmetric micro-gripper. Traditional grippers are too large to manipulate μLEDs, and therefore two micro-sized cantilevers are added at the gripper tips. A μLED manipulation system is constructed based on the micro-gripper together with a three-dimensional positioning system. Experimental results using this system show that it can be used successfully to manipulate μLED arrays. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS • A piezoelectrically driven asymmetric micro-gripper is proposed. • A μLED manipulation system is constructed based on the micro-gripper together with a three-dimensional positioning system. • A single μLED array is manipulated by the proposed micro-gripper-based system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]