Communications of the ACM
Additive Manufacturing: A New Twist For Stretchable Electronics?
Electronic components that can be elongated or twisted could soon be used to power electronic gadgets, the onboard systems of vehicles, medical devices, and other products.
Credit: John Rogers/University of Illinois
Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T) researchers are studying electronic components that can be elongated or twisted, which could soon be used to power a range of electronic devices.
In addition, a three-dimensional (3D) printing-like approach to manufacturing could help make stretchable electronics more prevalent.
The researchers say one challenge facing this new class of stretchable electronics involves "overcoming mismatches" between the flexible elastomer base and the more brittle electronic conductors.
"Unique designs and stretching mechanics have been proposed to harmonize the mismatches and integrate materials with widely different properties as one unique system," writes the research team, led by Missouri S&T professor Heng Pan. He notes additive manufacturing technology, enables manufactures to create 3D objects, layer by layer, but with metals, ceramics, or other materials, could help resolve this issue.
The researchers suggest additive manufacturing could be used to "print" very thin layers of highly conductive materials onto an elastomer surface. They say, "direct printing, as an additive manufacturing method, would satisfy such requirements and offer low cost and high speed in both prototyping and manufacturing."
From Missouri S&T News
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