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Erlenbach S, Mondal K, Ma J, Neumann TV, Ma S, Holbery JD, Dickey MD. Flexible-to-Stretchable Mechanical and Electrical Interconnects. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:6005-6012. [PMID: 36599089 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c14260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Stretchable electronic devices that maintain electrical function when subjected to stress or strain are useful for enabling new applications for electronics, such as wearable devices, human-machine interfaces, and components for soft robotics. Powering and communicating with these devices is a challenge. NFC (near-field communication) coils solve this challenge but only work efficiently when they are in close proximity to the device. Alternatively, electrical signals and power can arrive via physical connections between the stretchable device and an external source, such as a battery. The ability to create a robust physical and electrical connection between mechanically disparate components may enable new types of hybrid devices in which at least a portion is stretchable or deformable, such as hinges. This paper presents a simple method to make mechanical and electrical connections between elastomeric conductors and flexible (or rigid) conductors. The adhesion at the interface between these disparate materials arises from surface chemistry that forms strong covalent bonds. The utilization of liquid metals as the conductor provides stretchable interconnects between stretchable and non-stretchable electrical traces. The liquid metal can be printed or injected into vias to create interconnects. We characterized the mechanical and electrical properties of these hybrid devices to demonstrate the concept and identify geometric design criteria to maximize mechanical strength. The work here provides a simple and general strategy for creating mechanical and electrical connections that may find use in a variety of stretchable and soft electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Erlenbach
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Kunal Mondal
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Jinwoo Ma
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Taylor V Neumann
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Siyuan Ma
- Applied Sciences Group, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington 98052, United States
| | - James D Holbery
- Applied Sciences Group, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington 98052, United States
| | - Michael D Dickey
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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