CMOS-Technology-Enabled Flexible and Stretchable Electronics for Internet of Everything Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electronics Engineering
• Semiconductor Manufacturing

Background:

• Flexible and stretchable electronics are crucial for the Internet of Everything (IoE), enabling enhanced connectivity and quality of life.
• Current flexible electronics often use novel materials but face challenges in manufacturing, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, particularly using bulk monocrystalline silicon (100), offers high reliability and batch-fabrication capabilities but is inherently rigid.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the development of flexible and stretchable electronics by leveraging mature CMOS technology.
• To address the rigidity and brittleness limitations of current CMOS-based electronics.
• To provide a framework for integrating CMOS technology with flexible materials for future IoE applications.

Main Methods:

• Focusing on bulk monocrystalline silicon (100) as the core material.
• Exploring rational design strategies for materials, devices, and processes.
• Devising an integration strategy for CMOS-enabled flexible and stretchable electronics.

Main Results:

• Demonstrates a pathway for creating flexible and stretchable electronics using established CMOS processes.
• Highlights the potential of bulk monocrystalline silicon (100) in next-generation flexible devices.
• Offers a comprehensive approach to overcome the limitations of current rigid semiconductor technology.

Conclusions:

• CMOS technology can be adapted to create flexible and stretchable electronics, overcoming the inherent rigidity of silicon.
• This approach promises to enhance the reliability and manufacturability of electronics for the Internet of Everything.
• Further research in materials, device design, and process integration is essential for commercialization.