Future electronic skin systems require stretchable conductors and low-temperature integration of external components, which remains challenging for traditional metal films. Herein, a bioinspired design concept is reported to endow metal films with 200% stretchability as well as room-temperature integration capability with diverse components. It is revealed that by controllable implantation of defects, distinctive venation-mimicking cracking modes can be induced in strained metal films, leading to profound stretchability regulation. An intriguing exponential-to-linear transition of the film electromechanical performance is observed, which is elucidated by a unified model covering the essence of all modes. Combined with room-temperature integration capability, an integrated electronic skin is constructed with metal films serving as stretchable electrodes, diverse sensors, and "tapes" to attach subcomponents, showing prospects in helping disabled people. This one-step, defect implantation strategy is applicable to common metals without special substrate treatments, which enables fascinating ultrastretchable metal film conductors with low-temperature integration capability to spark more sophisticated flexible electronic systems.
Keywords: bioinspiration; electronic skin; flexible electronics; sensors; stretchable conductors.
© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.