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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
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A Fabrication Method for Highly Stretchable Conductors with Silver Nanowires
Published on: January 21, 2016
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A High Aspect Ratio Serpentine Structure for Use As a Strain-Insensitive, Stretchable Transparent Conductor
Sungwoo Jang1, Choelgyu Kim2, Jung Jin Park1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|December 28, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed highly stretchable transparent conductors (TCs) using ultrathin, high aspect ratio serpentine metal structures. These TCs maintain performance up to 100% strain, enabling advanced stretchable electronics and sensors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Stretchable electronics require strain-insensitive transparent conductors (TCs).
- Current TCs face challenges in maintaining optoelectronic performance under significant strain (e.g., 50%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop TCs with exceptional stretchability and high optoelectronic performance.
- To investigate the role of structural features in achieving strain insensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of ultrathin, high aspect ratio serpentine metal structures.
- Characterization of optoelectronic properties under various strain levels.
- Testing TCs as interconnectors in LEDs and gas sensors.
Main Results:
- Achieved constant resistance up to 100% strain.
- Demonstrated sheet resistance of 7.6 Ω/sq and 90.5% transmittance.
- High aspect ratio enabled facile serpentine deformation and avoided the typical performance trade-off.
Conclusions:
- Ultrathin, high aspect ratio serpentine structures are key to strain-insensitive TCs.
- The developed TCs offer a promising solution for advanced stretchable electronic applications.
- The technology is validated in functional devices like wearable sensors.
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