Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gyeongsuk Park, Gun-Hee Lee, Wonbeom Lee, Jiheong Kang, Seongjun Park, Steve Park
Summary: Gallium-based liquid metal (LM) has attracted attention as a stretchable conductor, but faces challenges. Researchers have divided it into microparticles (LMP) to overcome these limitations, but fabrication of LMP results in electrical insulation, requiring additional activation steps. This review discusses the potential of LMP as an alternative to bulk LM and explores methods to generate stable LMP-based conductors.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hengyi Li, Ruixiang Qu, Zhijun Ma, Ningjing Zhou, Qiyao Huang, Zijian Zheng
Summary: A continuous fabrication strategy for constructing permeable and super-stretchable liquid metal fibers has been developed, enabling the integration of high-density and multifunctional electronic fibers. By combining self-assembled porous elastomer fibers with multilayers of coaxially arranged liquid metal circuits, effective materials and energy exchange between the fiber and the surrounding environment is achieved. Proof-of-concept demonstrations of a stretchable multifunctional electronic fiber and an artificial neuron with multi-modal sensing and electrical signal transmission capabilities illustrate the potential of this fiber fabrication strategy for stretchable electronics applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minwoo Kim, Jung Jae Park, Chulmin Cho, Seung Hwan Ko
Summary: Researchers have developed a room-temperature universal stretchable sticker-like soldering process that can solder multiple spots at once and directly fabricates a stretchable device in an in situ manner. This solder exhibits high conductivity and unique freestanding feature, enabling it to stretch between a rigid chip and conductor. This technique allows for the integration of functional stretchable conductors with advanced rigid chips for next-generation stretchable electronics.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ruihua Dong, Xiaoyan Liu, Shiyu Cheng, Lixue Tang, Mian Chen, Leni Zhong, Zhen Chen, Shaoqin Liu, Xingyu Jiang
Summary: The highly stretchable electrode array based on the liquid metal-polymer conductor achieves high mechanical flexibility and good cytocompatibility for neural interfaces. It exhibits high stretchability and excellent cycling stability, allowing for long-term culturing of primary neurons and signal recording, which could significantly advance brain-machine interfaces.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyesu Choi, Yichi Luo, Gina Olson, Phillip Won, Joo Hwan Shin, Jehyung Ok, Ye Ji Yang, Tae-il Kim, Carmel Majidi
Summary: Kirigami, a traditional paper-cutting art, is used to create mechanically robust circuitry for stretchable devices through structural deformation. This study introduces Liquid Metal based Elastic Kirigami Electrodes (LM-eKE) with eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) coating, which can be stretched to 820% strain with only a 33% increase in electrical resistance. The LM-eKE maintains high electrical conductivity even during extreme deformation, allowing for stable electrical operation of wearable health monitoring devices.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Meng Wang, Kai Wang, Chao Ma, Pierre Claver Uzabakiriho, Xi Chen, Gang Zhao
Summary: In this study, a mechanical gradient strategy was developed to fabricate high-performance stretchable electronic devices. By using polyvinyl alcohol glue to fix integrated circuits on stretchable circuits, the strain gradient during the stretching process was achieved, ensuring the stability and reliability of the devices. The flexible electronic devices fabricated by this method are highly stretchable and comfortable, making them suitable for various applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lixue Tang, Shuaijian Yang, Kuan Zhang, Xingyu Jiang
Summary: This study reports on the development of intrinsically sticky conductors that can achieve direct welding of electronics on human skin, providing potential applications for electronics in the medical field.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zixu Yang, Dan Yang, Xizheng Zhao, Qinyi Zhao, Ming Zhu, Yan Liu, Yu Wang, Weihong Lu, Dianpeng Qi
Summary: Stretchable electronics is a type of electronic product that can conform with tissues, and liquid metals are excellent materials for this field due to their stretchability and conductivity. However, the high surface tension of liquid metals at room temperature poses a major obstacle for their development. This review focuses on overcoming this challenge and discusses various methods of using liquid metals to fabricate stretchable electronic devices based on these principles. The potential applications and existing challenges and opportunities of liquid metals in this field are also discussed.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Steven Erlenbach, Kunal Mondal, Jinwoo Ma, Taylor Neumann, Siyuan Ma, James D. Holbery, Michael D. Dickey
Summary: Stretchable electronic devices that maintain electrical function when subjected to stress or strain are useful for enabling new applications for electronics. This paper presents a simple method to make mechanical and electrical connections between elastomeric conductors and flexible (or rigid) conductors using liquid metals as the conductor. The work provides a simple and general strategy for creating mechanical and electrical connections that may find use in a variety of stretchable and soft electronic devices.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dingling Zhong, Shiyang Shi, Xiaolong Yang, Stephan Handschuh-Wang, Yaokang Zhang, Tiansheng Gan, Xuechang Zhou
Summary: This study presents a facile synthesis of liquid metal-polymer composites with high electrical conductivity, high stretchability, degradability, and recyclability. The composite consists of a physically crosslinked poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) hydrogel as a polymer matrix and liquid metal nanodroplets or silver microflakes as conductive fillers.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wouter Monnens, Bokai Zhang, Zhenyu Zhou, Laurens Snels, Koen Binnemans, Francisco Molina-Lopez, Jan Fransaer
Summary: This work proposes a simple approach to address the challenge of metallization in highly integrated (3D) stretchable electronics. Eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) is an attractive conductor for stretchable electronics, but its high surface tension makes sub-micrometer patterning challenging. This limitation is overcome by electrodeposition, a bottom-up approach that benefits from the resolution of mature nanofabrication methods. A record-high integration of EGaIn lines of 300 nm half-pitch is achieved. Moreover, vertical integration is enabled, leading to omnidirectionally stretchable 3D electronics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenyu Wang, Xuting Xia, Meng Zhu, Xingle Zhang, Rui Liu, Jun Ren, Junyi Yang, Ming Li, Jing Jiang, Yu Liu
Summary: A one-step dual-material 3D printing technique was developed to assemble liquid metal (LM) into an elastomer lattice, resulting in composites with high electrical conductivity, stretchability, and EMI shielding effectiveness. Unlike other composites, LM/elastomer lattice composites show minimal electromechanical coupling at high tensile strains, strain-invariant EMI shielding performance, and exceptional stability over 1000 stretching and releasing cycles.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wuzhou Zu, Yunsik Ohm, Manuel Reis Carneiro, Michael Vinciguerra, Mahmoud Tavakoli, Carmel Majidi
Summary: This study explores improvements to printed conductive materials for stretchable electronics, focusing on the choice of silver flakes and their impact on electrical and electromechanical properties. By using specific silver flakes, high conductivity and strain limit, as well as low electromechanical coupling, can be achieved. The study also demonstrates the applicability of these materials in wearable bioelectronics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zheng Luo, Xiaoping Zhou
Summary: This study proposes an efficient strategy for the fast preparation of liquid metal patches and investigates the performance of LMIE large strain sensors. The sensors exhibit high sensitivity, linearity, wide strain range of detection and breaking elongation, fast response time, and excellent repeatability and stability. The study demonstrates the excellent potential of multifunctional liquid metal composites in wearable electronics and prediction devices of structural collapse.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Wenwen Niu, Xiaokong Liu
Summary: This article provides a systematic summary of different types of stretchable ionic conductors, including their design, fabrication, properties, and applications. The advantages and limitations of these conductors are discussed, and possible challenges for their further development and practical applications are presented.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hong Hu, Xuyun Guo, Yaokang Zhang, Zijian Chen, Lei Wang, Yuan Gao, Ziran Wang, Yuqi Zhang, Wenshuo Wang, Mingming Rong, Guoqiang Liu, Qiyao Huang, Ye Zhu, Zijian Zheng
Summary: A strategy called elasto-plastic design of an ultrathin interlayer is proposed to enhance the strain tolerance of flexible electronics. By inserting an ultrathin, stiff, and elastic interlayer between a rigid film/device and a soft substrate, the actual strain applied on the film/device can be significantly reduced when the substrate is bent.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiju Ma, Qiyao Huang, Ningjing Zhou, Qiuna Zhuang, Sze-Wing Ng, Zijian Zheng
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dingling Zhong, Shiyang Shi, Xiaolong Yang, Stephan Handschuh-Wang, Yaokang Zhang, Tiansheng Gan, Xuechang Zhou
Summary: This study presents a facile synthesis of liquid metal-polymer composites with high electrical conductivity, high stretchability, degradability, and recyclability. The composite consists of a physically crosslinked poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) hydrogel as a polymer matrix and liquid metal nanodroplets or silver microflakes as conductive fillers.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hengyi Li, Ruixiang Qu, Zhijun Ma, Ningjing Zhou, Qiyao Huang, Zijian Zheng
Summary: A continuous fabrication strategy for constructing permeable and super-stretchable liquid metal fibers has been developed, enabling the integration of high-density and multifunctional electronic fibers. By combining self-assembled porous elastomer fibers with multilayers of coaxially arranged liquid metal circuits, effective materials and energy exchange between the fiber and the surrounding environment is achieved. Proof-of-concept demonstrations of a stretchable multifunctional electronic fiber and an artificial neuron with multi-modal sensing and electrical signal transmission capabilities illustrate the potential of this fiber fabrication strategy for stretchable electronics applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Yee Man Loh, Rui Gao, Chi Fai Cheung, Yanning Chen, Xin Li, Xuguang Li, James Kit Hon Tsoi, Chunjin Wang
Summary: Nowadays, there is a high demand for dental zirconia crowns, but the available mass polishing methods are limited. To address this issue, a novel method called magnetic field-assisted batch polishing (MABP) is proposed. A series of experiments are conducted to evaluate the polishing performance of samples polished by MABP and manual methods. The results show that MABP is an effective method for mass polishing of dental zirconia crowns, achieving a minimum surface roughness of 3 nm after 10 minutes.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Rui Gao, Chen Jiang, Hui Ye, Huapan Xiao, Chi Fai Cheung, Chunjin Wang
Summary: Mechanical cleavage technology is a promising method for fabricating large mirror facets for high-power laser bar, but there is still limited scientific understanding of its mechanisms. To address this issue, cleavage experiments were conducted using the Taguchi method to analyze the effects of three parameters. The results demonstrate the significant impact of scribing load on scratch morphology and provide predictive models for kerf width and maximum damage width values. The optimal parameters for scribing on (100) GaAs wafer along the [0-1-1] direction are a scribing load of 10 g, a scribing speed of 20 mm/s, and a scribing length of 0.6 mm. Mechanical cleavage shows great potential for guiding the production and manufacturing of high-power GaAs-based laser bars.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Ruoxin Wang, Chi Fai Cheung
Summary: This paper presents a novel knowledge graph embedding learning system, using a designed knowledge graph ontology and fact triples collected from the literature to construct a knowledge graph for defect diagnosis in additive manufacturing (KDDAM). A relational enhanced graph convolutional network is proposed to uncover new hidden relations among parameters, effects, defects, and product quality in the KDDAM. Experimental results show that our model outperforms other baseline and state-of-the-art models, and a case study demonstrates that our model can discover new causes of defects to help optimize the process.
COMPUTERS IN INDUSTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Huapan Xiao, Fan Zhang, Shenxin Yin, Chi Fai Cheung, Chunjin Wang
Summary: Subsurface damages (SSDs) generated during abrasive processes have a significant impact on the performance and life of devices made from brittle materials. In this paper, a theoretical model for SSD depth in single and double scratching of brittle materials is developed by extending indentation fracture mechanics and deriving analytic equations for contact areas between the indenter and the workpiece. Experiments on polished fused silica validate the model and investigate the effects of scratch spacing on surface/subsurface morphologies, scratching load, and friction coefficient.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Zili Zhang, Chunjin Wang, Chi Fai Cheung, Jiang Guo
Summary: Fluid jet polishing (FJP) is widely used for ultra-precision manufacturing of freeform optical components and molds. This study models the tool influence function (TIF) in freeform surface polishing using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the CFD model, which provides insights into material erosion characteristics and offers a cost-effective solution for building TIF databases. This research contributes to achieving high form accuracy in FJP of freeform surfaces.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hong Hu, Ziran Wang, Yufeng Luo, Pengwei Wang, Yaokang Zhang, Qiyao Huang, Zijian Zheng
Summary: In this study, a facile and efficient method for quantitative analysis of crack features in thin-film materials is reported, based on the asymmetrical bending strategy without the need for specialized testing instruments. By bending the unparallel edges of a trapezoid-shaped thin film/substrate, an asymmetrical configuration is formed, in which the local bending radius changes linearly along the bending axis. This method simplifies the process of quantitatively relating crack features to mechanical deformation.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Huafeng Song, Haifei Wang, Tiansheng Gan, Shiyang Shi, Xuechang Zhou, Yaokang Zhang, Stephan Handschuh-Wang
Summary: This study presents a versatile fabrication strategy for transient electronics by combining a resilient biopolymer substrate (gelatin biogels) with liquid metal (Galinstan), resulting in mechanically resilient and dissolvable circuits. As a proof-of-concept, transient capacitive sensors are fabricated which can degrade within 20 seconds, making them suitable for applications in human-machine interfaces and wearable devices.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiaming Huang, Zhen Lu, Jiaqi He, Hong Hu, Qiong Liang, Kuan Liu, Zhiwei Ren, Yaokang Zhang, Hongyu Yu, Zijian Zheng, Gang Li
Summary: In this study, a full-solution-processed device framework for semi-transparent intrinsically stretchable organic photovoltaics (is-OPVs) was reported. The device utilized a ferroconcrete-like composite of AZO@silver nanowires (AgNWs)@AZO as the back stretchable transparent electrode (STE), providing a 3D long-range pathway for efficient charge transport and collection while enhancing interfacial stability. The is-OPV achieved a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.90% by employing thermoplastic polyurethane-embedded AgNWs as the front STE. Mechanical robustness was demonstrated with 76.5% retained initial PCE after 500 cycles of 10% stretch-release. This work lays the foundation for the development of semi-transparent is-OPVs for wearable applications and skin-like electronics.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haining Fan, Wenbin Luo, Shixue Dou, Zijian Zheng
Summary: Metal-sulfur battery is a promising energy-storage technology with high energy density and low cost for long-range electric vehicles and large-scale power grids. The long-term cycling stability and sluggish reaction kinetics are major challenges, which have been addressed by designing smart cathodes to tailor the interaction between sulfur hosts and polysulfides through coordination control methods. This review summarizes the progress in the development of two-dimensional host materials and discusses the mechanisms of polysulfide anchoring and catalyzing.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xitao Hu, Yao Gao, Yongming Sun, Zhen Hou, Yufeng Luo, Danni Wang, Jiangpeng Wang, Biao Zhang, Zijian Zheng, Quan Li
Summary: This study investigates the morphological and structural evolution of texture-dependent Li metal electrodes cycled at different current densities. It is found that the cycling current density affects both the morphology and crystallographic texture evolution of Li {110} metal electrode. A low-rate-healing strategy is proposed to significantly elongate the cycle life of Li metal electrode cycled at high rates.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Xian Song, Akram Samy, Qiang Yang, Yangqiu Yang, Liang Zhong, Jianxiang Wang, Zijian Zheng, Yuxin Peng
Summary: This study presents the design and implementation of an omnidirectional and size-adaptive soft bending sensor for joint health monitoring. By mathematically decoupling strain and deformation distributions, the sensor can calculate omnidirectional bending angles regardless of joint sizes.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS
(2023)