Recent progress of stretchable displays: a comprehensive review of materials, device architectures, and applications

Abstract

Recently, mechanically deformable displays, such as flexible, foldable, rollable, and stretchable displays, have received considerable attention due to their broad range of applications across various electronic systems. Among the various types of deformable displays, stretchable displays represent the most advanced form factor. The stretchable displays require a sophisticated integration of components, including stretchable conducting, insulating, and semiconducting materials, intricate geometrical patterns, and multiple electronic elements. This comprehensive review explores the recent progress in stretchable displays, emphasizing the critical developments in materials, device architectures, and practical applications. Key innovations in stretchable electrodes and interconnections, light-emitting materials, transistors, circuitry, and deformable substrates are explored, highlighting their contributions to enhancing durability and stretchability. Also, the review highlights the latest research on achieving stretchability using intrinsically elastic materials or through structural engineering with rigid materials. Additionally, we introduce innovative applications of stretchable displays in various emerging electronic systems.