Optothermal bubble etching: sustainable and on-demand nanomanufacturing

Bubble etching introduces a sustainable, on-demand nanomanufacturing solution that addresses critical challenges in the field, such as the high cost, limited design flexibility, and environmental impact of conventional mask-based lithography. This maskless, laser-driven technique utilizes laser-generated bubbles as localized reactors for precise, high-resolution patterning. By integrating optothermal manipulation with controlled chemical etching, bubble etching enables customizable fabrication while significantly reducing chemical waste and energy consumption. Advancing green nanomanufacturing, this method provides a scalable and environmentally friendly approach for producing next-generation materials and devices.