Jhonathan just can’t stop – his latest is showing 1000% stretching
in mono-crystalline silicon (single spiral) whereas 30 folds in arrays!
Just accepted in APL and kudos to Armando of Prof. Foulds’
group too for this collaborative work.
Stretchable electronic systems can play instrumental role
for reconfigurable macro-electronics such as distributed sensor networks for
wearable and bio-integrated electronics. Typically polymer composite based
materials and its deterministic design as interconnects are used to achieve
such systems. Nonetheless, non-polymeric inorganic silicon is the predominant
material for 90% of electronics. Therefore, we report the design and
fabrication of an all silicon based network of hexagonal islands connected
through spiral springs to form an ultra-stretchable arrangement for complete
compliance to highly asymmetric shapes. Several design parameters are
considered and their validation is carried out through finite element analysis.
The fabrication process is based on conventional microfabrication techniques
and the measured stretchability is more than 1000% for single spirals and area
expansions as high as 30 folds in arrays. The reported method can provide
ultra-stretchable and adaptable electronic systems for distributed network of
high-performance macro-electronics especially useful for wearable electronics
and bio-integrated devices.
Way to go, Jhonathan! I definitely want to see you upon my
return but if that does not happen, you will always be remembered for being the
giant to lend the shoulder to take Integrated Nanotechnology Lab @ KAUST to a
height which is definitely enviable …