Programmable reconfigurable self-assembly: approaching the parallel heterogeneous integration on flexible substrates

This paper reports on a programmable reconfigurable liquid solder directed self assembly (PRS) method to enable parallel heterogeneous integration of components on nonplanar substrates. Metal contacts on segmented semiconductor devices bind to liquid-solder-based-receptors on a substrate surface during the fluidic self assembly. Programmability is implemented using solder-based receptors that can be switched "On" and "Off" using integrated heaters. This programmability enables the heterogeneous batch integration of components by sequentially activating selected receptors. We fabricated a prototype substrate to experimentally test the feasibility of PRS and successfully demonstrate the programmable assembly of multiple types of components onto target positions.