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Hermetic stretchable seals enabled by a viscoplastic surface effect
Rui Xia1,2, Chun Li1,3, Yan Shao1,4
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
Nature Materials
|October 17, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a new viscoplastic surface effect in elastomers. This breakthrough enables highly stretchable and hermetic seals for advanced electronics, extending their operational lifetime.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Electronics Engineering
Background:
- Elastic seals are crucial for protecting stretchable electronics from environmental factors.
- Current elastomers have limitations in hermeticity due to device contact and small-molecule permeability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel sealing platform with high hermeticity and stretchability for electronic devices.
- To overcome the limitations of conventional elastic seals in protecting sensitive electronics.
Main Methods:
- Investigated a viscoplastic surface effect in polymeric elastomers by controlling phase separation of polar plastics in block copolymers.
- Engineered defect-free interfaces on elastomer surfaces for airtight integration and gas barrier assembly.
Main Results:
- Achieved defect-free elastomer interfaces irrespective of size, material chemistry, or geometry.
- Developed a multilayer seal with scavenging components exhibiting hermeticity comparable to aluminum foil while maintaining rubber-band-like stretchability.
- Demonstrated extended operational lifetime for perovskite optoelectronics, hydrogel thermoelectrics, and implantable bioelectronics.
Conclusions:
- The viscoplastic surface effect in elastomers offers a promising solution for high-performance hermetic sealing in stretchable electronics.
- This technology enables seamless integration and robust protection, enhancing device durability and efficiency.
- The developed sealing platforms significantly advance the field of flexible and wearable electronics.
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