Roll-to-roll mechanized exfoliator and automatic 2d materials transfer and layering system

A method of exfoliating 2-D material comprising:

• supporting a flexible tape having an adhesive surface between a first and a second rotary device, the first and second rotary devices each being selectively rotatable in a clockwise and counter clockwise directions;
• guiding the tape below a press roller operably connected to a frame and adapted to provide a biasing force in a first direction;
• moving a stage carrying a source substrate containing source material from an initial position to a process position wherein the tape is disposed between the press roller and the source substrate,
• the press roller applying pressure to the tape and the source material disposed on the source substrate wherein the tape adheres to the source material;
• and
• moving the stage in a process direction from the process position back to the initial position and advancing the tape in the process direction causing the tape to exfoliate a layer of exfoliated material from the source material on the source substrate.

A stacker for forming layered heterostructure materials, the stacker comprising:

• a sample stage having a support surface for supporting a substrate having exfoliated flakes deposited thereon, the sample stage being configured for at least three degrees of motion;
• a stamp stage disposed adjacent the sample stage, the stamp stage having a stamp holder and being configured for six degrees of motion;
• a polymeric stamp held by the stamp holder;
• and
• a microscope directed at the substrate supported on the sample stage.