Advances in design and manufacture of stretchable electronics

Abstract

Flexible and stretchable electronics present opportunities for transition from rigid bulky devices to soft and conformal systems. However, such technology requires mechanical design and integration strategies to enhance robustness and form factor. In addition, scalable and reliable fabrication pathways are needed to facilitate the high volume manufacturing required to satisfy a growing market demand. This report describes recent advances in design, manufacture, and reliability of flexible and stretchable electronics technology. Flexible concept devices for physiological monitoring are introduced, before discussion of high throughput fabrication of stretchable electronics, then hybrid integration of conventional rigid components on stretchable carrier substrates with an emphasis on a need for further developments in device reliability testing procedures. Finally, consideration is given to transition options for more eco-conscious device constituents. These cases progress flexible and stretchable electronics towards robust, fully integrated, unobtrusive devices incorporating sustainable components.

Molecularly imprinted polymer on roll-to-roll printed electrodes as a single use sensor for monitoring of cortisol in sweat

“…The sensor would also benefit from improvements to the sampling methods. For instance, the patch could be modified by integration of stretchable components [70] to be worn directly on skin, incorporating fluidics for sweat capture and additional electrodes for monitoring of sweat rate [19]. Such a wearable patch could also be integrated with wireless, conformal readout electronics [20].…”

A Guide to Printed Stretchable Conductors

“…Although, there are no industry standards for this, the community can direct efforts in establishing reliability data. These studies should be designed in a way that they involve different modes of deformation (bend, stretch, torsion and twist) to capture realistic conditions . The electromechanical behavior can also get affected by constant current induced material degradation, but has been scarcely studied .…”

“…These studies should be designed in a way that they involve different modes of deformation (bend, stretch, torsion and twist) to capture realistic conditions. 254 The electromechanical behavior can also get affected by constant current induced material degradation, but has been scarcely studied. 255 An important parameter, device lifetime can be deduced from such studies.…”

Reliability of printed stretchable electronics based on nano/micro materials for practical applications

“…Meanwhile, the IC chips for the present stretchable electronics are still based on the conventional printed circuit boards which have a narrow tolerance for resistance variance. The IPC-9701 defined the failure of conductors as the reading of resistance change of more than 20% for more than 6 times, 187 which means most present printed stretchable conductors cannot meet this criterion. Thus it is highly desirable that IC chips or circuit designs that can work under a high resistance change to have a good match with the printed stretchable conductors.…”