• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.344-352
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• 2024

Stretchable electronics are emerging as next-generation devices owing to their unique deformable characteristics, which allow their application on nonplanar and even deformable surfaces. However, to implement advanced functions in stretchable electronics, conventional rigid components must be integrated to reduce the overall stretchability of these systems. Various design strategies have been proposed to address this challenge. One notable approach involves dividing the electronics into nonstretchable regions for component integration and stretchable interconnector regions that absorb strain. However, stretchable interconnectors, which electrically connect nonstretchable circuits, may reduce the functional density of electronics. In this study, we present a design strategy for self-sensing stretchable electronics by embedding strain sensors within stretchable interconnectors. We provide both computational and experimental evidence demonstrating the advantages of this approach and validate the feasibility of the design by developing a stretchable light-emitting diode (LED) matrix with self-sensing capabilities for measuring the stretching ratio. The results presented herein offer valuable strategies for advancing applications that require stretchable electronics with high functional densities. Moreover, the self-sensing design approach has significant potential for application in proprioceptive electronics.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.25-34
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• 2018

In this paper, we review the latest technical progress and commercialization of stretchable interconnectors, stretchable strain sensors, and stretchable substrates for stretchable electronics. The development of stretchable electronics can pave a way for new applications such as wearable devices, bio-integrated devices, healthcare and monitoring, and soft robotics. The essential components of stretchable electronic devices are stretchable interconnector and stretchable substrate. Stretchable interconnector should have high stretchability and high electrical conductivity as well as stability under severe mechanical deformation. Therefore several nanocomposite-based materials using CNT, graphene, nanowire, and metal flake have been developed. Geometric engineering such as wavy, serpentine, buckled and mesh structure has been well developed. Stretchable substrate should also pose high stretchability and compatibility with stretchable sensing or interconnecting material. We summarize the recent research results of new materials for stretchable interconnector and substrate as well as strain sensors. The Important challenges in development of the stretchable interconnector and substrate are also briefly discussed.

• Vacuum Magazine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.15-23
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• 2017

This article reviews technical trend in research of stretchable electrodes for wearable devices, bio-integrated devices, and stretchable electronics. Stretchable electronics is new emerging class of electronics following flexible electronics. One of the most difficult challenges in the development of stretchable electronic is to realize high performance stretchable electrodes with a low resistivity and high strain failure and stretchability against severe strain of the substrate. For this reason, there are many reports on the promising stretchable electrodes including CNT, graphene, Ag nanowire, and composite materials. We outline the recent research for stretchable substrate and stretchable electrode materials to realize highly stretchable electrodes.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.370-377
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• 2023

Soft and stretchable electronics, equipped with diverse functional devices, have recently garnered attention owing to their versatility in applications such as stretchable displays, flexible batteries, and electronic skin (e-skin). A fundamental challenge in realizing stretchable electronics lies in conferring the necessary flexibility to crucial electrical components such as electrodes and devices. However, the prevalent electronic materials, exhibit limited stretchability, presenting a significant obstacle to the advancement of soft and stretchable electronics. To overcome this challenge, various strategies rooted in geometrical engineering have been explored to enhance the adaptability of rigid materials. This study delves into the realm of geometrical engineering by, examining techniques such as serpentine patterns, kirigami-inspired designs, and island structures, with a keen focus on recent progress and future prospects.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.147-154
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• 2022

We demonstrate a new double-layer structure for stretchable interconnects, where the top surface of a serpentine polyimide support is coated with a thin eutectic gallium-indium liquid metal layer. Because the liquid metal layer is constantly fixed on the solid serpentine body in this liquid-on-solid structure, the overall stretching is accomplished by widening the solid frame itself, with little variation in the total length and cross-sectional area of the current path. Therefore, we can achieve both invariant resistance and infinite fatigue life by combining the stretchable configuration of the underlying body with the freely deformable nature of the top liquid conductor. Further, we fabricated various types of double-layer interconnects as narrow as 10 ㎛ using the roll-painting and lift-off patterning technique based on conventional photolithography and quantitatively validated their beneficial properties. The new interconnecting structure is expected to be widely used in applications requiring high-performance and high-density stretchable circuits owing to its superior reliability and capability to be monolithically integrated with thin-film devices.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.537-546
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• 2023

Intrinsically stretchable light-emitting diodes, composed of stretchable electrodes, charge transport layers, and luminescent materials, have garnered significant interest for enhancing human well-being and advancing the field of deformable electronics. Various luminescent materials, such as perovskites and organics, have been integrated with stretchable elastomers to function as the stretchable emissive layers in these intrinsically stretchable LEDs. Stretchable conductors including Ag nanowire based percolating structures and conducting polymers have been utilized as stretchable transparent electrode. Despite this progress, their performances in terms of efficiency and stability remain challenging compared to their structurally stretchable and rigid LED counterparts. This review offers a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in intrinsically stretchable LEDs, focusing on material innovations.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2015

Recently, advances in nano-material researches have opened the door for various transparent conductive materials, which include carbon nanotube, graphene, Ag and Cu nanowire, and printable metal grids. Among them, Ag nanowires are particularly interesting to synthesize because bulk Ag exhibits the highest electrical conductivity among all metals. Here we reviewed recently-published research works introducing various devices from organic light emitting diode to tactile sensing devices, all of which are employing AgNW for a conducting material. They proposed methods to enhance the stretchability and reversibility of the transparent electrodes, and apply them to make various flexible and stretchable electronics. It is expected that Ag nanowires are applicable to a wide range of high-performance, low-cost, stretchable electronic devices.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.149-156
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• 2017

Recently, stretchable and transparent electrodes have received great attention owing to their potential for realizing wearable electronics. Unlike the traditional transparent electrodes represented by indium tin oxide (ITO), stretchable and transparent electrodes are able to maintain their electrical and mechanical properties even under stretching stress. Lots of research efforts have been dedicated to the development of stretchable and transparent electrodes since they represent the most important engineering platform for the production of wearable electronics. Various approaches using silver nanowires, nanostructured networks, conductive polymers, and carbon-based electrodes have been explored by many world leading research groups. In this review, present and recent advances in the fabrication methods of stretchable and transparent electrodes are discussed.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.19-28
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• 2016

This paper presents an overview of selected advanced measurement technologies for the mechanical properties of polymers used for flexible and stretchable electronic packaging. Over the years, a variety of flexible and stretchable electronics have been developed due to their potential applications for next generation IT industry. To achieve more flexible and wearable devices for practical applications, the usage of polymeric components has been increased significantly. Therefore, accurate measurement of mechanical properties of the polymers is necessary in order to design mechanically reliable devices. However, the measurement has been challenging due to the soft nature and thin applications of polymers. Here, we describe novel measurement technologies of mechanical properties of polymers for flexible and stretchable electronics.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2023

Stretchable and flexible electronics that comply with dynamic movements and micromotion of the human tissues can enable real-time monitoring of physiologic signals onto the human skin and in the brain, respectively. Especially, gallium based liquid metal stretchable electronics can offer human-interactive biosensors to monitor various physiologic parameters. However, the liquid-like nature, surface oxidation and contamination by organic materials, and low biostability of the liquid metals have still limited the long-term use as bioelectronics. Here we introduced electrochemical deposition without oxidation pathways to overcome these practical challenges in liquid metal bioelectronics. CNT/PDDA composite with reduction way and PEDOT:BF₄ with oxidation way under organic solvent are suggested as rationally designed material engineering approaches. We confirmed that the structures with the soft, flexible, and stretchable liquid metal platform can successfully detect dopamine with a high sensitivity and selectivity, record neural signals including action potentials without scar formation, and monitor physiologic signals such as EMG and ECG.