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Recent developments of selective laser processes for wearable devices

Recently, the growing interest in wearable technology for personal healthcare and smart VR/AR applications newly imposed a need for development of facile fabrication method. Regarding the issue, laser has long been proposing original answers to such challenging technological demands with its remote, sterile, rapid, and site-selective processing characteristics for arbitrary materials. In this review, recent developments in relevant laser processes are summarized in two separate categories. Firstly, transformative approaches represented by laser-induced graphene (LIG) are introduced. Apart from design optimization and alteration of native substrate, latest advancements in the transformative approach now enable not only more complex material compositions but also multilayer device configurations by simultaneous transformation of heterogeneous precursor or sequential addition of functional layers coupled with other electronic elements. Besides, more conventional laser techniques such as ablation, sintering and synthesis are still accessible for enhancing the functionality of the entire system through expansion of applicable materials and adoption of new mechanisms. Various wearable device components developed through the corresponding laser processes are then organized with emphasis on chemical/physical sensors and energy devices. At the same time, special attention is given to the applications utilizing multiple laser sources or multiple laser processes, which pave the way towards all-laser fabrication of wearable devices.