Development of Roll-to-Roll Manufacture Process for Stretchable Device Substrate

Abstract

As the next generation of smart devices, many stretchable devices with have been developed. In this process, it is necessary to fabricate stretchable substrates and electrodes. However, in many studies, stretchable devices are currently manufactured by hand. Considering future social implementation, it is important to realize a mass production process for substrates and wiring. In this study, we conducted a PoC of a mass production process for stretchable devices by combining a substrate fabrication process by Roll-to-Roll (R2R) and a liquid metal wiring fabrication process by dispensing. To realize this process, we assembled a new R2R system by incorporating a slot die coater and applicator, which is the R2R coating process, and a corona treatment system to improve the wettability of polymeric materials into the R2R process equipment. Using this equipment, we evaluated the device at 50% elongation and fabricated a large scale stretch device.