EPFL researchers have developed conductive tracks that can be bent and stretched up to four times their original length. They could be used in artificial skin, connected clothing and on-body sensors.
Conductive tracks are usually hard printed on a board. But those recently developed at EPFL are altogether different: they are almost as flexible as rubber and can be stretched up to four times their original length and in all directions. And they can be stretched a million times without cracking or interrupting their conductivity. The invention is described in an article published today in the journal Advanced Materials.
Both solid and flexible, this new metallic and partially liquid film offers a wide range of possible applications. It could be used to make circuits that can be twisted and stretched – ideal for artificial skin on prosthetics or robotic machines. It could also be integrated into fabric and used in connected clothing. And because it follows the shape and movements of the human body, it could be used for sensors designed to monitor particular biological functions.
“We can come up with all sorts of uses, in forms that are complex, moving or that change over time,” said Hadrien Michaud, a PhD student at the Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces (LSBI) and one of the study authors.
Extensive research has gone into developing an elastic electronic circuit. It is a real challenge, as the components traditionally used to make circuits are rigid. Applying liquid metal to a thin film in polymer supports with elastic properties naturally seems like a promising approach.
Thin and reliable
Owing to the high surface tension of some of these liquid metals, experiments conducted so far have only produced relatively thick structures. “Using the deposition and structuring methods that we developed, it’s possible to make tracks that are very narrow – several hundredths of a nanometer thick – and very reliable,” said Stéphanie Lacour, holder of the Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Neuroprosthetic Technology and who runs the lab.
Apart from their unique fabrication technique, the researchers’ secret lies in the choice of ingredients, an alloy of gold and gallium. “Not only does gallium possess good electrical properties, but it also has a low melting point, around 30o,” said Arthur Hirsch, a PhD student at LSBI and co-author of the study. “So it melts in your hand, and, thanks to the process known as supercooling, it remains liquid at room temperature, even lower.” The layer of gold ensures the gallium remains homogeneous, preventing it from separating into droplets when it comes into contact with the polymer, which would ruin its conductivity.
Learn more: Stretchable electronics that quadruple in length
The Latest on: Stretchable electronics
[google_news title=”” keyword=”stretchable electronics” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Stretchable electronics
- Electric eels inspire wearable tech with 'jelly batteries'on July 22, 2024 at 11:00 am
Researchers explore how 'elly batteries inspired by electric eels are transforming wearable tech, soft robotics, and medical implants.
- Stretchable electronics might make their way onto the market thanks to roll-to-roll processon July 18, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Electronics have evolved over the years to supersede simply enhancing day-to-day life to becoming almost seamlessly integrated with daily life. People have become accustomed to wearable electronics, ...
- Researchers develop stretchable batteries that could transform wearable deviceson July 18, 2024 at 5:33 am
Two groups of researchers recently published studies on the prospect of designing flexible batteries almost simultaneously. Despite being unrelated, the papers detail similar prototypes.
- A new method to fabricate stretchable and breathable electronicson July 18, 2024 at 3:50 am
In recent years, engineers and material scientists have introduced increasingly flexible electronics that could be used to create new wearable devices, such as smart watches, biosensors and ...
- Soft, stretchy ‘jelly batteries’ inspired by electric eelson July 17, 2024 at 11:00 am
Researchers have developed soft, stretchable ‘jelly batteries’ that could be used for wearable devices or soft robotics, or even implanted in the brain to deliver drugs or treat conditions such as ...
- Shapeshifting battery can stretch 5000%, retain charge after 70 cycleson July 17, 2024 at 5:05 am
The battery uses a stretchable electrolyte that also improves its charging capacity six times that of an average battery.
- Elastic Horizons: The Science Behind 5000% Stretchable Lithium-Ion Batterieson July 17, 2024 at 5:00 am
A newly developed stretchable lithium-ion battery retains efficient charge storage after 70 cycles and expands up to 5000%. This innovation caters to the growing demand for batteries in wearable ...
- Completely stretchy lithium-ion battery for flexible electronicson July 16, 2024 at 5:01 pm
But batteries will need this shape-shifting quality to be incorporated into flexible electronics, which are gaining traction for wearable health monitors. Now, researchers in ACS Energy Letters report ...
via Bing News