Development of CNT-PDMS optoacoustic transmitters by using a localized photothermal curing process

We propose a new approach called localized photothermal curing (LPC) to fabricate carbon nanotube (CNT)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite transmitters for optoacoustic generation of high-frequency, high-amplitude ultrasound. The LPC uses nanosecond-pulsed laser irradiation to cure prepolymer liquid surrounding CNT strands in a composite form. These transmitters can produce peak pressure amplitudes 20-fold higher than a Cr reference film. We expect that the process allows great flexibility in design and fabrication of ultrasound transmitters in terms of shape and dimension.