Unveil the secret of stretchable technology through color

Stretchable technology: revolutionizing next-generation electronics through free deformation

Flexible and deformable electronics have evolved beyond bendable, foldable, rollable and slideable designs to fully stretchable systems that allow free deformation. Stretchable technology is gaining attention in multiple fields including displays, sensors, semiconductors, electronic skins, bionic robots and smart clothing.

Stretchable technology relies primarily on two approaches: creating elastic materials similar to rubber, and designing stretchable structures that integrate seamlessly with existing semiconductor, display, electrode and sensor technologies. Among structural stretchable technologies, serpentine interconnects, a type of wavy elastic connection, play a crucial role in providing elasticity to non-stretchable electronic components. Advancing this technology requires a comprehensive understanding of the structural characteristics and deformation processes at each stage of stretching.

Instantly visualize the deformation of snake-like structures

Until now, the deformation of serpentine structures could only be analyzed after physical damage, such as fracture. This means researchers must rely on theoretical simulations or limited observational data from previous stretching cycles, hampering immediate insights into the structure’s behavior.

The Pohang University of Science and Technology team met this challenge by exploiting changes in structural color, which occur at the nanoscale during deformation. They developed a system using chiral liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE), a mechanochromic material that changes color when stretched, to accurately and instantly visualize the deformation of the snake-like structure. In addition, the team verified the results through theoretical finite element analysis, confirming the potential of this technology for optimized design applications.

Technical and industrial significance

This innovative approach eliminates the need for complex nanofabrication processes and provides clear, immediate understanding of how the serpentine structure deforms. By providing actionable design guidelines to optimize these structures in different stretching environments, this technology has the potential to rapidly enable the commercialization of stretchable devices.

“This research opens the door to precise evaluation and design of the core connection structures of stretchable technologies,” said Professor Su Seok Choi, adding that the findings are expected to expand displays, semiconductors, sensors, electronic skins, smart clothing and soft robotics and other fields and accelerate commercialization.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Samsung Future Technology Development Program and the Stretchable Display Development and Demonstration Program under the Korea Industrial Technology Planning and Evaluation Institute.