Enabling Scalable Nanoscale 3D Printing via Laser‐Driven Termination

ABSTRACT

Nanoscale three‐dimensional (3D) printing promises to revolutionize next‐generation devices in optics and electronics, but its widespread adoption is hindered by fundamental challenges in scalability and manufacturing throughput. Meniscus‐guided writing is a promising technology for fabricating 3D nanostructures, yet it suffers from a critical limitation in its termination mechanism. The conventional rapid‐retraction method is effective only for low‐viscosity, low‐concentration inks, severely restricting printing speed and material selection. Here we overcome the bottleneck by developing a laser‐driven termination method. We integrated a 405 nm focused laser co‐axially with a side‐view optical microscopy monitoring system to induce on‐demand thermal ablation, cleanly severing the printed structures. By replacing the concentration‐sensitive physical separation with a thermal process, our method decouples termination from ink rheology, a breakthrough enabling high‐concentration ink (> 1.6 mg/mL) usage, unlocking printing speeds up to 1000 µm/s—a 100‐fold throughput increase compared to the retraction‐based process. The laser‐driven approach also provides exceptional geometric freedom. We demonstrate precise, on‐demand height control and the fabrication of freestanding tilted structures. The method's versatility was confirmed for a range of sizes, material systems, and substrates. Our approach provides a robust and scalable platform for the omnidirectional manufacturing of complex 3D nanostructures.