Developments and applications of localized electrochemical deposition additive manufacturing

Localized electrochemical deposition (LECD) additive manufacturing represents an essential technology that overcomes the material and dimensional limitations of conventional micro/nano manufacturing through precise control of the electrodeposition region and dosage, enabling controlled fabrication of micro/nano-scale metal structures. This review comprehensively examines the fundamental principles of LECD, which operate through the reduction reaction of metal ions (Mⁿ⁺) under an applied electric field. Through regulation and confinement of the electrode, localized deposition occurs, facilitating the layer-by-layer construction of three-dimensional structures using "voxels" as fundamental building units. The review examines four primary technical approaches in LECD: fluidic force microscopy (FluidFM), scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), meniscus-confined electrodeposition (MCED), and electrohydrodynamic redox printing (EHD-RP), emphasizing their distinctive performance characteristics. Additionally, it presents the demonstrated applications of LECD in fields including microelectronic components, energy storage devices, and high-sensitivity sensors, offering valuable perspectives for its continued advancement in precision manufacturing and functional devices.