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Biomimicking Topographic Elastomeric Petals (E-Petals) for Omnidirectional Stretchable and Printable Electronics.
Ruisheng Guo1, You Yu2, Jifang Zeng3
1Nanotechnology Center Institute of Textiles and Clothing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong China; State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou 730000 China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|December 17, 2016
Summary
Rose petal-inspired elastomeric substrates offer a novel solution for stretchable electronics. Their unique topography prevents conductive layer microcracks, enhancing device durability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomimetics
- Electronics Engineering
Background:
- Conventional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates face limitations in stretchable electronics due to microcrack formation in conductive layers.
- Biomimetic approaches offer potential for developing advanced substrate materials with enhanced mechanical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate elastomeric petals, directly replicated from natural rose petals, as novel substrates for stretchable and printable electronics.
- To investigate the crack-inhibiting properties of the biomimetic topographic surface of these elastomeric petals.
Main Methods:
- Direct replication of natural rose petal surfaces onto elastomeric materials.
- Fabrication of stretchable and printable electronic devices using the developed elastomeric petal substrates.
- Characterization of the topographic surface and microcrack propagation in the conductive layer.
Main Results:
- Elastomeric petals exhibit biomimicking topographic surfaces.
- These topographic surfaces effectively inhibit the propagation of microcracks in the overlying conducting layer.
- The crack inhibition is independent of the conductive materials and deposition methods used.
Conclusions:
- Elastomeric petals serve as versatile and robust substrates for advanced stretchable and printable electronics.
- The biomimetic surface topography is key to enhancing the durability and reliability of electronic devices on these substrates.
- This approach offers a promising pathway for developing next-generation flexible electronic components.
