Electronic Applications Research Articles

Programmable and flexible wood-based origami electronics

Natural polymer substrates are gaining attention as substitutes for plastic substrates in electronics, aiming to combine high performance, intricate shape deformation, and environmental sustainability. Herein, natural wood veneer is converted into a transparent wood film (TWF) substrate. The combination of 3D printing and origami technique is established to create programmable wood-based origami electronics, which exhibit superior flexibility with high tensile strength (393 MPa) due to the highly aligned cellulose fibers and the formation of numerous intermolecular hydrogen bonds between them. Moreover, the flexible TWF electronics exhibit editable multiplexed configurations and maintain stable conductivity. This is attributed to the strong adhesion between the cellulose-based ink and TWF substrate by non-covalent bonds. Benefiting from its anisotropic structure, the programmability of TWF electronics is achieved through sequentially folding into predesigned shapes. This design not only promotes environmental sustainability but also introduces its customizable shapes with potential applications in sensors, microfluidics, and wearable electronics.

Co-designing ab initio electronic structure methods on a RISC-V vector architecture

Ab initio electronic structure applications are among the most widely used in High-Performance Computing (HPC), and the eigenvalue problem is often their main computational bottleneck. This article presents our initial efforts in porting these codes to a RISC-V prototype platform leveraging a wide Vector Processing Unit (VPU). Our software tester is based on a mini-app extracted from the ELPA eigensolver library. The user-space emulator Vehave and a RISC-V vector architecture implemented on an FPGA were tested. Metrics from both systems and different vectorisation strategies were extracted, ranging from the simplest and most portable one (using autovectorisation and assisting this by fusing loops in the code) to the more complex one (using intrinsics). We observed a progressive reduction in the number of vectorised instructions, executed instructions and computing cycles with the different methodologies, which will lead to a substantial speed-up in the calculations. The obtained outcomes are crucial in advancing the porting of computational materials and molecular science codes to (post)-exascale architectures using RISC-V-based technologies fully developed within the EU. Our evaluation also provides valuable feedback for hardware designers, engineers and compiler developers, making this use case pivotal for co-design efforts.

Carbon nanostructures for high-frequency line-filtering supercapacitors

Supercapacitors (SCs) are considered one of the front-runner energy storage devices for future electronic and automobile device applications. Even though their high-power densities, fast charge/discharge, and long cycling stabilities make them promising for future applications, their charge-discharge takes place below 1 Hz, a major issue for using them as capacitors for line filtering applications. Therefore, developing ultrafast electrochemical supercapacitors with alternating current (AC) line filtering functions has gained research attention to replace conventional aluminum electrolytic capacitors (AEC). Most available SCs possess resistive features rather than capacitive at 120 Hz because of the electrode geometry and configurations, which is a bottleneck in the research of line-filtering SCs. Addressing this challenge could be possible by developing novel electrode materials using hybrid nanostructures to meet the critical requirements for line filtering functions. This mini-review focuses on the advancement and challenges of carbon nanostructure-based electrode materials for AC line filtering applications and the future directions of this growing research area.

Phase disposition PWM control topology based: A novel multilevel inverter with reduced switch for power electronics applications

In the field of industrial drive applications, a neutral point clamped multilevel inverter (NPC MLI) is an extensively used option. The NPC MLI architecture involves more number of components for higher level and higher switching frequency operation. In this work paper, a novel three-phase 3-Level MLI is proposed evading the usage of clamping diodes and quadratic switches. Additionally, phase disposition pulse width modulation (PD-PWM) control technique is also employed for the proposed MLI. In comparison to NPC MLI, proposed MLI reduces the voltage switching stress as only one switch is operated per inverter leg. Another feature is that there is a considerable reduction in power losses as the current flows only through fewer elements. The proposed 3L inverter topology is explored thoroughly using the MATLAB simulation model. The evaluation of results is also demonstrated concerning the proposed PD-PWM technique by comparing its performance with the conventional sinusoidal PWM method. The Real-Time hardware-in-loop (HIL) simulator is also used to validate the simulation outcomes of the proposed model.

Polymer Composite Coatings Enhanced with Superhydrophobic Properties for Flexible Electronics Applications: A Review

ABSTRACT Flexible electronics have revolutionized various industries by offering lightweight and conformable solutions for diverse applications. However, their vulnerability to environmental factors, particularly moisture, remains a critical challenge. Polymer composite coatings enriched with superhydrophobic properties have gained considerable attention as a promising solution to safeguard flexible electronics. The present research report is a comprehensive review of the recent advancements in the development and application of superhydrophobic polymer composite coatings in flexible electronics, highlighting its potential applications in sensors and EMI shielding. The improvement in superhydrophobic characteristics hinges upon the choice of materials, fabrication techniques, surface morphology, and topographical features. This review article elaborates on the selection criteria for various organic and inorganic fillers suitable for polymers possessing innate hydrophobic or conducting properties. The different materials used as fillers in polymer matrix for fabricating superhydrophobic coating, the factors affecting the superhydrophobic properties of surfaces, and the superhydrophobic properties of fabricated surfaces using different materials have been reported.

Unusual Anomalous Hall Effect in Two-Dimensional Ferromagnetic Cr7Te8

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with inherent magnetism have attracted considerable attention in the fields of spintronics and condensed matter physics. The anomalous Hall effect (AHE) offers a theoretical foundation for understanding the origins of 2D ferromagnetism (2D-FM) and offers a valuable opportunity for applications in topological electronics. Here, we present uniform and large-size 2D Cr7Te8 nanosheets with varying thicknesses grown using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The 2D Cr7Te8 nanosheets with robust perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, even a few layers deep, exhibit a Curie temperature (TC) ranging from 180 to 270 K according to the varying thickness of Cr7Te8. Moreover, we observed a temperature-induced reversal in the sign of the anomalous Hall resistance, correlating with changes in the intrinsic Berry curvature. Additionally, the topological Hall effect (THE) observed at low temperatures suggests the presence of non-trivial spin chirality. Our findings about topologically non-trivial magnetic spin states in 2D ferromagnets provide a promising opportunity for new designs in magnetic memory spintronics.

Robust and Reversible Thermal/Electro‐Responsive Supramolecular Polymeric Adhesives via Synergistic Hydrogen‐Bonds and Ionic Junctions

Adhesive conducting elastomers are rising materials towards cutting‐edge applications in wearable and implantable soft electronics. Yet, engineering the conductive adhesives with robust and tunable interfacial bonding strength is still in its infancy stage. We herein identify a structurally novel supramolecular polymer scaffold, characterized by synergistic coexistence of hydrogen‐bonding (H‐bonding) interactions and electrostatic ionic junctions, endowing the robust and tunable elastic conducting adhesives with remarkable thermal/electro‐responsive performance. H‐bonding association and electrostatic interaction play orthogonal yet synergistic roles in the strong supramolecular adhesive formation, serving as the leveraging forces for opposing both cohesion and adhesion energy. To do so, six‐arm star‐shaped random copolymers P(DAP‐co‐Thy‐co‐MBT)6 are strategically designed, bearing H‐bonding PDAP (poly(diaminopyridine acrylamide)) and PThy (poly(thymine)) segments, which can form hetero‐complementary DAP/Thy H‐bonding association, along with conductive poly(ionic liquid)s segment: PMBT, (poly(1‐[2‐methacryloylethyl]‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane)‐sulfonamide)). DAP/Thy H‐bonding association, along with electrostatic ionic interaction, can yield dual supramolecular forces crosslinked polymeric networks with robust cohesion energy. Moreover, coexistence of poly(ionic liquid)s can impact and interfere the configuration of H‐bonding association, liberate more free DAP and Thy motifs to form H‐bonds towards substrate, affording strong surface adhesion in a synergistic manner. This work demonstrates a significant forward step towards potential adhesives devoted to hybrid electronic devices.

Robust and Reversible Thermal/Electro-Responsive Supramolecular Polymeric Adhesives via Synergistic Hydrogen-Bonds and Ionic Junctions.

Adhesive conducting elastomers are rising materials towards cutting-edge applications in wearable and implantable soft electronics. Yet, engineering the conductive adhesives with robust and tunable interfacial bonding strength is still in its infancy stage. We herein identify a structurally novel supramolecular polymer scaffold, characterized by synergistic coexistence of hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) interactions and electrostatic ionic junctions, endowing the robust and tunable elastic conducting adhesives with remarkable thermal/electro-responsive performance. H-bonding association and electrostatic interaction play orthogonal yet synergistic roles in the strong supramolecular adhesive formation, serving as the leveraging forces for opposing both cohesion and adhesion energy. To do so, six-arm star-shaped random copolymers P(DAP-co-Thy-co-MBT)6 are strategically designed, bearing H-bonding PDAP (poly(diaminopyridine acrylamide)) and PThy (poly(thymine)) segments, which can form hetero-complementary DAP/Thy H-bonding association, along with conductive poly(ionic liquid)s segment: PMBT, (poly(1-[2-methacryloylethyl]-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane)-sulfonamide)). DAP/Thy H-bonding association, along with electrostatic ionic interaction, can yield dual supramolecular forces crosslinked polymeric networks with robust cohesion energy. Moreover, coexistence of poly(ionic liquid)s can impact and interfere the configuration of H-bonding association, liberate more free DAP and Thy motifs to form H-bonds towards substrate, affording strong surface adhesion in a synergistic manner. This work demonstrates a significant forward step towards potential adhesives devoted to hybrid electronic devices.

Effect of polydimethylsiloxane content on the electrothermal performance and tensile strength of laser induced graphene films: Experimental and theoretical

BackgroundSince its discovery in 2014, laser induced graphene (LIG) has gained a lot of interest from research institutions and the industry as a result of its single-step fabrication process and tailorable properties. Nonetheless, LIG's brittle nature makes it susceptible to any mechanical disturbances thus shearing off from the polyimide (PI) sheet surface. This limits its applicability in electrothermal heating and other applications requiring high flexibility. Therefore, there is a need to enhance LIG's robustness on the precursor surface. MethodsTo overcome this, LIG films were fabricated from PI using a 10.6 µm CO2 laser machine and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) contents were infused into the LIG structure by spin coating to form LIG/PDMS films. Furthermore, the adhesion strength of LIG/PDMS films was further improved by making micro scratches on the substrate surface by pressing the PI sheets in between the jaws of a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The joule heating of LIG and LIG/PDMS heaters was evaluated before, during, and after mechanical testing. Theoretical models (heat balance and Ansys Finite Element, FE) were also performed to validate experimental results. Significant findingsAt an input DC voltage of 8 V, the LIG/PDMS with 50 μL PDMS and LIG heaters generated saturation temperatures of 250 and 308.86 °C, respectively. Much as the saturation temperatures were lower for LIG/PDMS heaters, their mechanical strength was enhanced in comparison with the LIG heaters. LIG/PDMS films could undergo more bending cycles (4800) than LIG films (2400). Additionally, LIG/PDMS film accommodated more stress (⁓ 0.16 Mpa) than LIG film (⁓ 0.04 Mpa) after tensile tests. Interestingly, the LIG/PDMS heater's electrothermal performance was better than that of LIG heater after tension. The heat balance equation and simulation results showed a tight match with experimental generated temperatures, verifying the approach's trustworthiness. Hence, the demonstrated effectiveness and efficiency of LIG-based heaters with high flexibility under various mechanical stresses open new possibilities for diverse electronic applications.

Current-Induced Field-Free Switching of Co/Pt Multilayer via Modulation of Interlayer Exchange Coupling and Magnetic Anisotropy

Current-induced field-free magnetic switching using spin–orbit torque has been an important topic for decades due to both academic and industrial interest. Most research has focused on introducing symmetry breakers, such as geometrical and compositional variation, pinned layers, and symmetry-broken crystal structures, which add complexity to the magnetic structure and fabrication process. We designed a relatively simple magnetic structure, composed of a [Co/Pt] multilayer and a Co layer with perpendicular and in-plane magnetic anisotropy, respectively, with a Cu layer between them. Current-induced deterministic magnetic switching was observed in this magnetic system. The system is advantageous due to its easy control of the parameters to achieve the optimal condition for magnetic switching. The balance between magnetic anisotropic strength and interlayer coupling strength is found to provide the optimal condition. This simple design and easy adjustability open various possibilities for magnetic structures in spin-based electronics applications using spin–orbit torque.

A wearable cotton fiber-based supercapacitor electrode material with outstanding stability and photothermal performance utilizing AgNWs, NiCoAl-LDH, and PPy-NWs

Designing cotton fiber (CF) based flexible electrode materials with both electrochemical energy storage and structural stability is crucial for the utilization of flexible supercapacitors in wearable devices. Nevertheless, the electrochemical properties of such materials are often constrained by suboptimal ion diffusion, a limited electroactive surface area, and inadequate structural integrity. Herein, Silver nanowires (AgNWs), NiCoAl hydrotalcite (NCA-LDH), and polypyrrole nanowires (PPy-NWs) are employed to construct a CF-based electrode material (PNHAS/CF) with high stability through a layer-by-layer self-assembly method. The PNHAS/CF with a high capacitance of 1207.58 mF cm−2 at 5 mA cm−2 due to the faster electronic transmission paths of AgNWs and PPy-NWs, and the high specific capacitance of NCA-LDHs. The NCA-LDH stabilizes the PPy-NWs molecular chain, and the PPy-NWs winding structure can further enhance the PNHAS/CF's structural stability and prevent the AgNWs network from being destroyed, which guarantees the exceptional 87.5 % capacitance retention after 2000 cycles. The constructed symmetrical supercapacitor shows an energy density of 36.28 μWh cm−2 at 0.31 mW cm−2 power density. The PNHAS/CF exhibits superb solar spectral absorptivity (~94.8 %) and outstanding solar heating performance. Surprisingly, the fiber-based flexible electrode material and the assembled supercapacitor are expected to find applications in wearable intelligent electronics.

Core-Shell Engineered Fillers Overcome the Electrical-Thermal Conductance Trade-Off.

The rapid development of modern electronic devices increasingly requires thermal management materials with controllable electrical properties, ranging from conductive and dielectric to insulating, to meet the needs of diverse applications. However, highly thermally conductive materials usually have a high electrical conductivity. Intrinsically highly thermally conductive, but electrically insulating materials are still limited to a few kinds of materials. To overcome the electrical-thermal conductance trade-off, here, we report a facile Pechini-based method to prepare multiple core (metal)/shell (metal oxide) engineered fillers, such as aluminum-oxide-coated and beryllium-oxide-coated Ag microspheres. In contrast to the previous in situ growth method which mainly focused on small-sized spheres with specific coating materials, our method combined with ultrafast joule heating treatment is more versatile and robust for varied-sized, especially large-sized core-shell fillers. Through size compounding, the as-synthesized core-shell-filled epoxy composites exhibit high isotropic thermal conductivity (∼3.8 W m-1 K-1) while maintaining high electrical resistivity (∼1012 Ω cm) and good flowability, showing better heat dissipation properties than commercial thermally conductive packaging materials. The successful preparation of these core-shell fillers endows thermally conductive composites with controlled electrical properties for emerging electronic package applications, as demonstrated in circuit board and battery thermal management.

MgO nanofiller reinforced biodegradable, flexible, tunable energy gap HPMC polymer composites for eco-friendly electronic applications

This study explores the development and characterization of eco-friendly Magnesium Oxide (MgO) nanofiller reinforced hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) polymer composites for eco-friendly electronic applications. The prepared nanocomposites are biodegradable and flexible without any additional plasticizer. MgO nanoparticles were synthesized using the solution combustion method and incorporated into HPMC matrix through solution casting method. The structural, mechanical, optical, AC and DC electrical, and degradation properties of the prepared nanocomposites were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the successful integration of MgO nanoparticles into the HPMC matrix, with noticeable interactions affecting the crystallinity. Mechanical testing revealed an optimal MgO concentration of 0.2 g, which provided the best balance of strength and ductility, while higher concentrations led to increased brittleness. UV–Vis spectroscopy results evident that the energy gap of nanocomposites can be tuneable with MgO incorporation. The photoresponsivity study indicated that higher MgO content reduce the photocurrent due to agglomeration and defect states. Dielectric studies showed a typical frequency-dependent behaviour, with enhanced dielectric constants at lower frequencies attributed to interfacial polarization. However, increasing MgO content decreased the dielectric constant and loss due to reduced polymer chain mobility and increased resistive pathways. Current-Voltage (I-V) characteristics demonstrated a non-ohmic conduction behaviour with Poole-Frenkel emission identified as the predominant conduction mechanism. Degradation tests in both tap water and soil, demonstrated that the MgO incorporation significantly slowed the degradation rate of the composites, enhancing their durability. These findings suggest that MgO-HPMC nanocomposites hold promise for sustainable and flexible eco-friendly electronic applications.

Novel superhard orthorhombic O12 carbon: a first principle study

Abstract In this study, a new orthorhombic carbon structure with Ama2 symmetry, designated as O12 carbon, has been predicted on basis of the first-principles method. The thermal stability and dynamic stability of O12 carbon were evaluated and confirmed by combining ab initio molecular dynamics and phonon spectra analyses. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of O12 carbon, compared with other superhard carbon allostrope like diamond, M-carbon, Bct-c4 and Cco-C8, have also been systematically investigated. With a bulk modulus of 351 GPa, a shear modulus of 333 GPa, and a Vickers hardness of 53 GPa, O12 carbon is identified as a superhard material of significantly technological and industrial applications. The existence of elastic anisotropy in O12 carbon has also been confirmed. The electronic band structure calculations have revealed that O12 carbon exhibits a semiconductor characteristic with a direct band gap of 2.5 eV, making it promising candidate in electronic applications. Additionally, the XRD spectra of O12 carbon were obtained to offer further insights for potential experimental observations. Our findings enrich the family of carbon structure and are expected to stimulate additional experimental interest.

Liquid Metal-Based Elastomer Composite with Selective Switchable Adhesion to Solids.

Selective switchable adhesion has recently attracted much attention due to its wide applications in transfer printing, information transfer, and flexible electronics. However, selective adhesive materials often have a complex adhesion or preparation process, which limits their use. To overcome this problem, this study prepares a composite of liquid metal foam and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with selective photocontrolled adhesion, which can directly adhere to solids at room temperature. Utilizing the photoinduced phase transition of liquid metals, solid adhesion can be regulated by changing the backing layer modulus of the adhesive layer. Since the phase transition process is gradually completed by heat transfer from the illuminated side to the backlight side that adheres to the solid, the melting area on the backlight side can be regulated by controlling the light time, which determines the adhesion regulation area. Therefore, the accuracy of the adhesion regulation can reach less than 0.9 mm without relying on the accuracy of the infrared light. Moreover, based on the selective switchable adhesion, the selective transfer of solids with different scales can be achieved at room temperature. The findings of this study may provide strategies for the simple preparation of selective adhesive materials and the improvement of control accuracy.

Unveiling the Potential of Halloysite Nanotubes: Insights into Their Synthesis, Properties, and Applications in Nanocomposites

AbstractHalloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have attracted considerable attention due to their unique properties and wide range of applications. This review explores HNT‐based nanocomposites, focusing on their preparation methods and improvements in mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. Various synthesis techniques, including solution mixing, melt compounding, in situ polymerization, and surface modification, are discussed, along with their benefits and limitations. The role of HNT characteristics such as aspect ratio, dispersion, and surface chemistry in enhancing nanocomposite properties is examined. HNTs significantly boost mechanical properties, including tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and toughness, due to their reinforcement effects. Improved dispersion and interfacial adhesion between HNTs and the polymer matrix enhance these properties. HNTs also act as thermal barriers, improving heat resistance and dimensional stability, while enhancing barrier properties against gases and moisture. These synergistic effects allow for the customization of nanocomposites for specific applications in packaging, automotive, electronics, and biomedical fields. Future research should focus on optimizing synthesis methods and processing techniques to further improve HNT‐based nanocomposites’ performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of HNT‐based nanocomposites, offering valuable insights for advancing nanomaterials science and engineering.

Effect of Anions on Deformation of Gallium-Based Liquid Metal in Solution.

In this study, deformation behaviors of gallium-based liquid metals in acidified cupric sulfate or cupric chloride solutions with varying concentrations of chloride anion or sulfate anion were investigated to explore their potential applications in soft machines and electronics. Gallium-based liquid metals are known for their unique deformability, making them promising materials for various fields. Previous research has shown that deformation of the liquid metal can be achieved in the presence of acidified cupric or ferric salts. However, the specific influence of different anions on the deformation process remains unclear. Our findings indicate that the deformation rate of the liquid metal increases with higher concentrations of chloride ions and decreases with higher concentrations of sulfate ions in the solution. UV-vis absorbance spectra of the solutions were analyzed to identify the formation of hydrated cupric cations. It was observed that increasing the concentration of Cl- ions promotes the formation of cupric-chloro complexes, thereby reducing the concentration of hydrated cupric ions in the solution. Furthermore, the addition of sulfate ions to the solution enhances the ionic strength of the medium, leading to the dissociation of cupric-chloro complexes. Additionally, sulfate ions can form insoluble layers with gallium ions, which impede the deformation of the liquid metal. The deformation rate of the liquid metal was found to be inversely correlated with the concentration of cupric ions in the solution. These results provide valuable insights into the deformable behavior of gallium-based liquid metals and their potential applications in liquid metal-based soft robots. This study highlights the importance of understanding the role of different anions in the deformation process of liquid metals, shedding light on the design and optimization of soft machines and electronics utilizing these materials.

Charged Impurity Scattering and Electron-Electron Interactions in Large-Area Hydrogen Intercalated Bilayer Graphene.

Intercalation is a promising technique to modify the structural and electronic properties of 2D materials on the wafer scale for future electronic device applications. Yet, few reports to date demonstrate 2D intercalation as a viable technique on this scale. Spurred by recent demonstrations of mm-scale sensors, we use hydrogen intercalated quasi-freestanding bilayer graphene (hQBG) grown on 6H-SiC(0001), to understand the electronic properties of a large-area (16 mm2) device. To do this, we first analyze Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations and weak localization, permitting determination of the Fermi level, cyclotron effective mass, and quantum scattering time. Our transport results indicate that at low temperature, scattering in hQBG is dominated by charged impurities and electron-electron interactions. Using low- temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STS), we investigate the source of the charged impurities on the nm-scale via observation of Friedel oscillations. Comparison to theory suggests that the Friedel oscillations we observe are caused by hydrogen vacancies underneath the hQBG. Furthermore, STS measurements demonstrate that hydrogen vacancies in the hQBG have an extremely localized effect on the local density of states, such that the Fermi level of the hQBG is only affected directly above the location of the defect. Hence, we find that the calculated Fermi level from SdH oscillations on the millimeter scale agrees with the value measured locally on the nanometer scale with STS measurements.

Modelling of Cut-off Frequency of Armchair Graphene Nanoribbon Tunnel Field Effect Transistor Using Transfer Matrix Method

Graphene is considered as a promising two-dimensional material for electronic device applications due to its high charge carrier mobility and it is extremely thin in size. As a material, graphene has great potential for the development of high-speed nano electric devices. Graphene can be used as a channel material in Tunnel Field Effect Transistor (TFET). In this study, the cut-off frequency of the armchair graphene nanoribbon tunnel field effect transistor (AGNR-TFET) device was modelled quantum mechanically. The solution of the Dirac-like Hamiltonian and Poisson equations self-consistently is used to determine the potential profile of device and the transmittance is calculated using the transfer matrix method (TMM). The Landauer formulation with the help of Gauss Legendre Quadrature Method (GLQM) is used to calculate the tunnelling current and the cut-off frequency of AGNR-TFET. The calculation results showed that the cut-off frequency increased as the drain voltage increased, while the increase in channel length and the N-index graphene made the cut-off frequency decreased. Moreover, the thicker the oxide layer could increase the cut-off frequency and the higher the temperature on the device would reduce the cut-off frequency.

Self-help offers for people with severe mental illness: who uses which format?

Self-help can play an important supplementary role in the treatment of people with severe mental illness; however, little is known about the utilization of the various approaches. This study describes the use of various self-help options by patients with severe mental illness and examines potential predictors. As part of the observational cross-sectional study on patients with severe mental illness (IMPPETUS, N = 397), trained staff collected sociodemographic, illness-associated and treatment-associated data between March 2019 and September 2019. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze apossible association with the use of self-help. The participants most frequently reported using self-help literature (n = 170; 45.5%) followed by self-help groups (n = 130; 33.2%), electronic mental health applications (n = 56; 15.5%) and self-management approaches (n = 54; 14.8%). Trialogue seminars (n = 36; 9.9%) were the least used by the participants. The utilization of the various approaches is influenced by sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics (age, education, marital status, migration background, age at onset of initial mental health problems, psychosocial functioning level) but not by factors associated with treatment. The potential of self-help is not being fully utilized in the sample investigated. The reported use of self-help approaches by the participants ranged between 10% and 46%. The various formats address specific target groups. More targeted information must be provided about the various options and the use of self-help in routine treatment must be actively fostered in order to increase the utilization of self-help.