Abstract
Soft and conformable electronics are emerging rapidly and is envisioned as the future of next-generation electronic devices where devices can be readily deployed in various environments, such as on-body, on-skin or as a biomedical implant. Modern day electronics require electrical conductors as the fundamental building block for stretchable electronic devices and systems. In this review, we will study the various strategies and methods of designing and fabricating materials which are conductive, stretchable and self-healable, and explore relevant applications such as flexible and stretchable sensors, electrodes and energy harvesters.
Highlights
1 Introduction Stretchable electronic devices have received increasing attention by researchers globally as they have the potential to be applied in many innovative fields such as epidermal electronic devices [1, 2], biomedical engineering [3, 4], healthcare monitoring [5–8], soft robotics [9–12], electronic skins [13–15] and human–machine interfaces [16]
Based on the tremendous growth of nanomaterials and nanofabrication technologies during the past decades, development of stretchable electronics has achieved remarkable progress, and they are considered as next-generation electronic devices that can augment traditional rigid silicon-based electronic devices for interfacing with the human skin or on curved, deformable interfaces
We further described potential applications in wearable communication devices, biomedical engineering, healthcare monitoring, electrical artificial skin, soft robotics and transparent touch panels
Summary
Stretchable electronic devices have received increasing attention by researchers globally as they have the potential to be applied in many innovative fields such as epidermal electronic devices [1, 2], biomedical engineering [3, 4], healthcare monitoring [5–8], soft robotics [9–12], electronic skins [13–15] and human–machine interfaces [16]. The most commonly used method to achieve this purpose is to disperse nanomaterial fillers into the elastomeric matrix, combining advantages of electrical conductivity of the nanomaterial fillers and mechanical stretchability of the matrix material [50, 51]. Methods of adding fillers and their dispersion process, as well as adhesive bonding chemicals like surfactants, play critical roles in improving the quality of the whole composite [50] Another strategy uses geometric design of non-stretchable conductive material within the elastic matrix, which enables the composite to have the ability to stretch. The selection of materials for fillers and elastomer, and the fabrication process both determines the electrical and mechanical performances of the conductors. We will discuss the strategies for high-performance stretchable conductors based on the materials
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