Making stretchy, foldable electronic circuitry
14 May 2008
News
Information from Frost & Sullivan Technical Insights
There are many applications in which it would be useful for circuits to be able to flex, bend or fold. These range from medical device applications to portable electronic devices.
Frost & Sullivan has therefore taken interest in work done by an international team of researchers that has developed a simple approach that should allow the production of stretchy, foldable integrated circuits that operate at high performance levels. The research has been reported in the journal Science.
"These systems combine high quality electronic materials, such as aligned arrays of silicon nano-ribbons, with ultrathin and elastomeric substrates, in multilayer neutral mechanical plane designs and with 'wavy' structural layouts," said John Rogers, one of the authors of the report.
The work, he said, points the way to devices that require extreme mechanical deformations during installation or use, yet at the same time need electronic properties consistent with those of conventional semiconductor electronics systems. "We are opening an engineering design space for electronics and optoelectronics that goes well beyond what planar configurations on semiconductor wafers can offer," Rogers said.
To build the devices, the researchers first apply a thin 'sacrificial layer' of poly(methyl methacrylate) to a rigid substrate, then coat it with a thin layer of polyimide. Devices are built on the polyimide layer using fairly conventional methods.
Then, the sacrificial poly(methyl methacrylate) layer is etched away, freeing the devices on the polyimide substrate from the rigid backing. The devices are then applied to a prestrained rubbery sheet. Once the sheet is allowed to relax, the device layer buckles into wavy structures that are still fully functional, but have enough 'give' to be bent, folded or otherwise manipulated.
"We have gone way beyond just isolated material elements and individual devices to complete, fully integrated circuits in a manner that is applicable to systems with nearly arbitrary levels of complexity," said Rogers.
Circuits in the structures have fully reversible stretchability and compressibility without substantial strains in the circuit materials themselves. Rogers said that adding a thin encapsulating layer on top of the devices could improve them still further by helping to prevent delamination under high strain.
For more information contact Patrick Cairns, Frost & Sullivan, +27 (0)21 680 3274, [email protected]
Further reading:
RE+ South Africa 2026: From strategy to execution
News
Taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 02 to 04 June 2026, this new addition to South Africa’s energy landscape introduces a focused commercial and industrial energy event within a proven exhibition platform.
Read more...
Africa Energy Indaba announces 2027 dates
News
Following the continued success and growing global impact of the Africa Energy Indaba, organisers have announced the dates for the 19th edition of the Africa Energy Indaba 2027.
Read more...
RS South Africa named master distributor for the Arduino UNO Q
RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa announced that it has been named Master Distributor for the Arduino UNO Q SBC platform across South Africa and the broader African region.
Read more...
Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.
Read more...
IOT secures major industry partnership
IOT Electronics
News
IOT Electronics has announced a new strategic partnership with Powell Electronics, becoming an Official Authorised Reseller in South Africa.
Read more...
Successful Proteus training conference
Dizzy Enterprises
News
Dizzy Enterprises recently hosted two hands-on Proteus Training Conferences, bringing together electronics professionals, designers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest capabilities of the Proteus Design Suite from Labcenter Electronics.
Read more...
Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.
Read more...
Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.
Read more...
AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Read more...
European components distribution growing
News
European electronic components distribution returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from DMASS Europe.
Read more...
printer friendly version