Perspectives on the fundamental principles and manufacturing of stretchable ionotronics

Abstract

The recent decade has witnessed the emergence of stretchable ionotronics, a family of stretchable devices that function by hybridizing ions and electrons. Demonstrated devices encompass artificial muscles, skins, axons, ionotronic optical devices, artificial eels, ionotronic thermometry, ionotronic neural interfaces, and others. In developing stretchable ionotronics, many obstacles need to be tackled, for example, how to manipulate ions to invent new conceptual devices, how to use ions to replace the functions of electrons in existing electrical devices while preserving the pristine functions meanwhile enabling new functionalities, how to model the performance of ionic conductors and ionotronic devices, and how to integrate materials of dissimilar physicochemical properties in various manufacturing processes. In this Perspective, the significant progresses of stretchable ionotronics made during its first decade are summarized with particular emphases placed on the fundamental principles and manufacturing of the devices. Concise discussions on the materials and mechanics of stretchable ionic conductors are also provided. Finally, this Perspective is concluded with an over-the-horizon outlook discussing the remaining challenges and opportunities for further development of this exciting and fast-evolving field.