Micromachines 2017, 8(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8010007
Materials, Mechanics, and Patterning Techniques for Elastomer-Based Stretchable Conductors
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65401, USA
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Academic Editors: Seung Hwan Ko, Daeho Lee and Zhigang Wu
Received: 29 October 2016 / Revised: 18 December 2016 / Accepted: 20 December 2016 / Published: 27 December 2016
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flexible and Stretchable Electronics)
Abstract
Stretchable electronics represent a new generation of electronics that utilize soft, deformable elastomers as the substrate or matrix instead of the traditional rigid printed circuit boards. As the most essential component of stretchable electronics, the conductors should meet the requirements for both high conductivity and the capability to maintain conductive under large deformations such as bending, twisting, stretching, and compressing. This review summarizes recent progresses in various aspects of this fascinating and challenging area, including materials for supporting elastomers and electrical conductors, unique designs and stretching mechanics, and the subtractive and additive patterning techniques. The applications are discussed along with functional devices based on these conductors. Finally, the review is concluded with the current limitations, challenges, and future directions of stretchable conductors. View Full-TextKeywords:
stretchable conductors; elastomers; patterning techniques; direct printing; transfer printing
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Yu, X.; Mahajan, B.K.; Shou, W.; Pan, H. Materials, Mechanics, and Patterning Techniques for Elastomer-Based Stretchable Conductors. Micromachines 2017, 8, 7.
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