Development of Real-Time Measurement Platform for Stretchable and Rollable Functions of Flexible Electronics under Multiple Dynamic Loads

Micromachines (Basel). 2020 Jan 19;11(1):106. doi: 10.3390/mi11010106.

Abstract

Mainstream next generation electronic devices with miniaturized structures and high levels of performance are needed to meet the characteristic requirements of electronics with flexible and stretchable capabilities. Accordingly, several applied fields of innovative electronic component techniques, such as wearable devices, foldable curtain-like displays, and flexible hybrid electronic (FHE) biosensors, are considered. This study presents a novel inspection system with multifunctions of stressing tensile and bending mechanical loads to acquire the stretchable and rollable characteristics of soft specimens. The performance of the proposed measurement platform using samples of three different geometric types is evaluated in terms of its stretchability. The results show a remarkable enhancement of mechanical reliability when the sine wave geometric structure is used. A symmetrical sine wave-shaped sample is designed to measure performance under cyclic rolling. The proposed measurement platform of flexible electronics meets the testing requirements of mechanical reliability for the development of future flexible electronic components and FHE products.

Keywords: dynamic rolling; dynamic stretching; fatigue test; flexible hybrid electronics (FHE); measurement platform.