Stretchable electronics can be developed by integrating rigid components in a soft polymer matrix. However, it is challenging to eliminate cracks at the interface between soft and rigid materials. In a new report now published and illustrated on the cover page of Science Advances, Jun Chang Yang, Seungkyu Lee, and a research team in Materials Science, and Mechanical Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in the Republic of Korea, developed geometrically engineered Ferris wheel–shaped islands to effectively suppress crack propagation at the interface under various deformation modes. The optimized shape showed increased strain at failure and fatigue life compared with conventional shapes, including circle and square-shaped islands. The team showed how the electronic skin could differentiate various tactile stimuli without interference while demonstrating notable enhanced durability to withstand conditions of daily use.
source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/geometrically-engineered-rigid-island-array-for-stretchable-electronics
