Kirigami-inspired, highly stretchable micro-supercapacitor patches fabricated by laser conversion and cutting

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electronics Engineering
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Advancements in compliant electronics are hindered by limitations in stretchability and component coverage.
• Existing systems often compromise overall performance for enhanced deformability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design highly deformable micro-supercapacitor patches using a Kirigami-inspired construct.
• To achieve high areal coverage of electrode and electrolyte materials in a flexible system.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication via laser-assisted graphitic conversion and cutting.
• Utilizing Kirigami patterns to enhance structural compliance and accommodate large deformations.
• Electrochemical testing to evaluate performance under strain.

Main Results:

• Patches exhibit significant structural compliance, allowing large deformations with minimal strain (<3%) in active areas.
• Electrical and electrochemical performance are maintained under extreme elongation (up to 382.5%).
• Capacitance change remains below 2% even at maximum strain.

Conclusions:

• Kirigami-inspired design offers a pathway to highly stretchable and functional micro-supercapacitor patches.
• The fabrication method is simple, efficient, and scalable.
• Design flexibility allows for diverse electrical interconnections within supercapacitor arrays.