Showing papers on "Flexible electronics published in 2015"

High-mobility three-atom-thick semiconducting films with wafer-scale homogeneity

Abstract: The large-scale growth of semiconducting thin films forms the basis of modern electronics and optoelectronics. A decrease in film thickness to the ultimate limit of the atomic, sub-nanometre length scale, a difficult limit for traditional semiconductors (such as Si and GaAs), would bring wide benefits for applications in ultrathin and flexible electronics, photovoltaics and display technology. For this, transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), which can form stable three-atom-thick monolayers, provide ideal semiconducting materials with high electrical carrier mobility, and their large-scale growth on insulating substrates would enable the batch fabrication of atomically thin high-performance transistors and photodetectors on a technologically relevant scale without film transfer. In addition, their unique electronic band structures provide novel ways of enhancing the functionalities of such devices, including the large excitonic effect, bandgap modulation, indirect-to-direct bandgap transition, piezoelectricity and valleytronics. However, the large-scale growth of monolayer TMD films with spatial homogeneity and high electrical performance remains an unsolved challenge. Here we report the preparation of high-mobility 4-inch wafer-scale films of monolayer molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) and tungsten disulphide, grown directly on insulating SiO2 substrates, with excellent spatial homogeneity over the entire films. They are grown with a newly developed, metal-organic chemical vapour deposition technique, and show high electrical performance, including an electron mobility of 30 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at room temperature and 114 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 90 K for MoS2, with little dependence on position or channel length. With the use of these films we successfully demonstrate the wafer-scale batch fabrication of high-performance monolayer MoS2 field-effect transistors with a 99% device yield and the multi-level fabrication of vertically stacked transistor devices for three-dimensional circuitry. Our work is a step towards the realization of atomically thin integrated circuitry.

Technologies for Printing Sensors and Electronics Over Large Flexible Substrates: A Review

Abstract: Printing sensors and electronics over flexible substrates are an area of significant interest due to low-cost fabrication and possibility of obtaining multifunctional electronics over large areas. Over the years, a number of printing technologies have been developed to pattern a wide range of electronic materials on diverse substrates. As further expansion of printed technologies is expected in future for sensors and electronics, it is opportune to review the common features, the complementarities, and the challenges associated with various printing technologies. This paper presents a comprehensive review of various printing technologies, commonly used substrates and electronic materials. Various solution/dry printing and contact/noncontact printing technologies have been assessed on the basis of technological, materials, and process-related developments in the field. Critical challenges in various printing techniques and potential research directions have been highlighted. Possibilities of merging various printing methodologies have been explored to extend the lab developed standalone systems to high-speed roll-to-roll production lines for system level integration.

High-performance green flexible electronics based on biodegradable cellulose nanofibril paper

Abstract: The rapid evolution of consumer electronics means that out-of-date devices quickly end up in the scrap heap. Here, the authors fabricate electrical components using biodegradable and flexible cellulose nanofibril paper—a natural sustainable resource derived from wood.

High-resolution patterning of graphene by screen printing with a silicon stencil for highly flexible printed electronics.

Abstract: High-resolution screen printing of pristine graphene is introduced for the rapid fabrication of conductive lines on flexible substrates. Well-defined silicon stencils and viscosity-controlled inks facilitate the preparation of high-quality graphene patterns as narrow as 40 μm. This strategy provides an efficient method to produce highly flexible graphene electrodes for printed electronics.

Flexible electronics based on inorganic nanowires.

Abstract: Flexible electronics have gained considerable research interest in the recent years because of their special features and potential applications in flexible displays, artificial skins, sensors, sustainable energy, etc. With unique geometry, outstanding electronic/optoelectronic properties, excellent mechanical flexibility and good transparency, inorganic nanowires (NWs) offer numerous insights and opportunities for flexible electronics. This article provides a comprehensive review of the inorganic NW based flexible electronics studied in the past decade, ranging from NWs synthesis and assembly to several important flexible device and energy applications, including transistors, sensors, display devices, memories and logic gates, as well as lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells and generators. The integration of various flexible nanodevices into a self-powered system was also briefly discussed. Finally, several future research directions and opportunities of inorganic NW flexible and portable electronics are proposed.

Stretchable Thin‐Film Electrodes for Flexible Electronics with High Deformability and Stretchability

Abstract: Flexible and stretchable electronics represent today's cutting-edge electronic technologies. As the most-fundamental component of electronics, the thin-film electrode remains the research frontier due to its key role in the successful development of flexible and stretchable electronic devices. Stretchability, however, is generally more challenging to achieve than flexibility. Stretchable electronic devices demand, above all else, that the thin-film electrodes have the capacity to absorb a large level of strain (>>1%) without obvious changes in their electrical performance. This article reviews the progress in strategies for obtaining highly stretchable thin-film electrodes. Applications of stretchable thin-film electrodes fabricated via these strategies are described. Some perspectives and challenges in this field are also put forward.

A Conductive Self-Healing Hybrid Gel Enabled by Metal–Ligand Supramolecule and Nanostructured Conductive Polymer

Abstract: Self-healing materials emerge as a fascinating class of materials important for various technological applications. However, achieving the synergistic characteristics of high conductivity, room-temperature self-healing ability, and decent mechanical properties still remains a critical challenge. Here we develop for the first time a hybrid gel based on self-assembled supramolecular gel and nanostructured polypyrrole that synergizes the dynamic assembly/disassembly nature of metal–ligand supramolecule and the conductive nanostructure of polypyrrole hydrogel and exhibits features of high conductivity (12 S m–1), appealing mechanical and electrical self-healing property without any external stimuli, and enhanced mechanical strength and flexibility. The attractive characteristics of the hybrid gel are further demonstrated by a flexible yet self-healable electrical circuit. Our work shows the great potential of self-healing hybrid gel system in flexible electronics and provides a useful strategy to design multi...

Materials for Flexible, Stretchable Electronics: Graphene and 2D Materials

Abstract: Recently, 2D materials have been intensively studied as emerging materials for future electronics, including flexible electronics, photonics, and electrochemical energy storage devices. Among representative 2D materials (such as graphene, boron nitride, and transition metal dichalcogenides) that exhibit extraordinary properties, graphene stands out in the flexible electronics field due to its combination of high electron mobility, high thermal conductivity, high specific surface area, high optical transparency, excellent mechanical flexibility, and environmental stability. This review covers the synthesis, transfer, and characterization methods of graphene and 2D materials and graphene's application to flexible devices as well as comparison with other competing materials.

Polymer-metal hybrid transparent electrodes for flexible electronics.

Abstract: Building printable electronics demands flexible and transparent electrodes that can be fabricated on plastic substrates. Here, Kang et al. report a polymer-metal hybrid electrode that has a small bending radius of 95%.

Flexible lithium-oxygen battery based on a recoverable cathode.

Abstract: Although flexible power sources are crucial for the realization next-generation flexible electronics, their application in such devices is hindered by their low theoretical energy density. Rechargeable lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries can provide extremely high specific energies, while the conventional Li-O2 battery is bulky, inflexible and limited by the absence of effective components and an adjustable cell configuration. Here we show that a flexible Li-O2 battery can be fabricated using unique TiO2 nanowire arrays grown onto carbon textiles (NAs/CT) as a free-standing cathode and that superior electrochemical performances can be obtained even under stringent bending and twisting conditions. Furthermore, the TiO2 NAs/CT cathode features excellent recoverability, which significantly extends the cycle life of the Li-O2 battery and lowers its life cycle cost.

Biocompatible and Flexible Chitosan-Based Resistive Switching Memory with Magnesium Electrodes

Abstract: A flexible and transparent resistive switching memory based on a natural organic polymer for future flexible electronics is reported. The device has a coplanar structure of Mg/Ag-doped chitosan/Mg on plastic substrate, which shows promising nonvolatile memory characteristics for flexible memory applications. It can be easily fabricated using solution processes on flexible substrates at room temperature and indicates reliable memory operations. The elucidated origin of the bipolar resistive switching behavior is attributed to trap-related space-charge-limited conduction in high resistance state and filamentary conduction in low resistance state. The fabricated devices exhibit memory characteristics such as low power operation and long data retention. The proposed biocompatible memory device with transient electrodes is based on naturally abundant materials and is a promising candidate for low-cost memory applications. Devices with natural substrates such as chitosan and rice paper are also fabricated for fully biodegradable resistive switching memory. This work provides an important step toward developing a flexible resistive switching memory with natural polymer films for application in flexible and biodegradable nanoelectronic devices.

Rapid and Versatile Photonic Annealing of Graphene Inks for Flexible Printed Electronics

Abstract: Intense pulsed light (IPL) annealing of graphene inks is demonstrated for rapid post-processing of inkjet-printed patterns on various substrates. A conductivity of ≈25,000 S m(-1) is achieved following a single printing pass using a concentrated ink containing 20 mg mL(-1) graphene, establishing this strategy as a practical and effective approach for the versatile and high-performance integration of graphene in printed and flexible electronics.

3D Si/C Fiber Paper Electrodes Fabricated Using a Combined Electrospray/Electrospinning Technique for Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract: Although the theoretical capacity of silicon is ten times higher than that of graphite, the overall electrode capacity of Si anodes is still low due to the low Si loading and heavy metal current collector. Here, a novel flexible 3D Si/C fiber paper electrode synthesized by simultaneously electrospraying nano-Si-PAN (polyacrylonitrile) clusters and electrospinning PAN fibers followed by carbonization is reported. The combined technology allows uniform incorporation of Si nanoparticles into a carbon textile matrix to form a nano-Si/carbon composite fiber paper. The flexible 3D Si/C fiber paper electrode demonstrate a very high overall capacity of ≈1600 mAh g-1 with capacity loss less than 0.079% per cycle for 600 cycles and excellent rate capability. The exceptional performance is attributed to the unique architecture of the flexible 3D Si/C fiber paper, i.e., the resilient and conductive carbon fiber network matrix, carbon-coated Si nanoparticle clusters, strong adhesion between carbon fibers and Si nanoparticle clusters, and uniform distribution of Si/C clusters in the carbon fiber frame. The scalable and facile synthesis method, good mechanical properties, and excellent electrochemical performance at a high Si loading make the flexible 3D Si/C fiber paper batteries extremely attractive for plug-in electric vehicles, flexible electronics, space exploration, and military applications.

Flexible piezoelectric thin-film energy harvesters and nanosensors for biomedical applications.

Abstract: The use of inorganic-based flexible piezoelectric thin films for biomedical applications has been actively reported due to their advantages of highly piezoelectric, pliable, slim, lightweight, and biocompatible properties. The piezoelectric thin films on plastic substrates can convert ambient mechanical energy into electric signals, even responding to tiny movements on corrugated surfaces of internal organs and nanoscale biomechanical vibrations caused by acoustic waves. These inherent properties of flexible piezoelectric thin films enable to develop not only self-powered energy harvesters for eliminating batteries of bio-implantable medical devices but also sensitive nanosensors for in vivo diagnosis/therapy systems. This paper provides recent progresses of flexible piezoelectric thin-film harvesters and nanosensors for use in biomedical fields. First, developments of flexible piezoelectric energy-harvesting devices by using high-quality perovskite thin film and innovative flexible fabrication processes are addressed. Second, their biomedical applications are investigated, including self-powered cardiac pacemaker, acoustic nanosensor for biomimetic artificial hair cells, in vivo energy harvester driven by organ movements, and mechanical sensor for detecting nanoscale cellular deflections. At the end, future perspective of a self-powered flexible biomedical system is also briefly discussed with relation to the latest advancements of flexible electronics.

Flexible Transparent Films Based on Nanocomposite Networks of Polyaniline and Carbon Nanotubes for High-Performance Gas Sensing

Abstract: A flexible, transparent, chemical gas sensor is assembled from a transparent conducting film of carbon nanotube (CNT) networks that are coated with hierarchically nanostructured polyaniline (PANI) nanorods. The nanocomposite film is synthesized by in-situ, chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in a functional multiwalled CNT (FMWCNT) suspension and is simultaneously deposited onto a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. An as-prepared flexible transparent chemical gas sensor exhibits excellent transparency of 85.0% at 550 nm using the PANI/FMWCNT nanocomposite film prepared over a reaction time of 8 h. The sensor also shows good flexibility, without any obvious decrease in performance after 500 bending/extending cycles, demonstrating high-performance, portable gas sensing at room temperature. This superior performance could be attributed to the improved electron transport and collection due to the CNTs, resulting in reliable and efficient sensing, as well as the high surface-to-volume ratio of the hierarchically nanostructured composites. The excellent transparency, improved sensing performance, and superior flexibility of the device, may enable the integration of this simple, low-cost, gas sensor into handheld flexible transparent electronic circuitry and optoelectronic devices.

Recent Progress in Flexible Electrochemical Capacitors: Electrode Materials, Device Configuration, and Functions

Abstract: With increasing demand for portable, flexible, and even wearable electronic devices, flexible energy storage systems have received increasing attention as a key component in this emerging field. Among the options, supercapacitors, commonly referred to as ultracapacitors or electrochemical capacitors, are widely recognized as a potential energy storage system due to their high power, fast charge/discharge rate, long cycling life-time, and low cost. To date, considerable effort has been dedicated to developing high-performance flexible supercapacitors based on various electrode materials; including carbon nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, porous carbon materials, carbon paper, and textile), conducting polymers (e.g., polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene), and hybrid materials. A brief introduction to the field is provided and the state-of-the-art is reviewed with special emphasis on electrode materials and device configurations.

Synthesis of ultrathin polymer insulating layers by initiated chemical vapour deposition for low-power soft electronics

Abstract: Insulating layers based on oxides and nitrides provide high capacitance, low leakage, high breakdown field and resistance to electrical stresses when used in electronic devices based on rigid substrates. However, their typically high process temperatures and brittleness make it difficult to achieve similar performance in flexible or organic electronics. Here, we show that poly(1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-trivinyl cyclotrisiloxane) (pV3D3) prepared via a one-step, solvent-free technique called initiated chemical vapour deposition (iCVD) is a versatile polymeric insulating layer that meets a wide range of requirements for next-generation electronic devices. Highly uniform and pure ultrathin films of pV3D3 with excellent insulating properties, a large energy gap (>8 eV), tunnelling-limited leakage characteristics and resistance to a tensile strain of up to 4% are demonstrated. The low process temperature, surface-growth character, and solvent-free nature of the iCVD process enable pV3D3 to be grown conformally on plastic substrates to yield flexible field-effect transistors as well as on a variety of channel layers, including organics, oxides, and graphene. Initiated chemical vapour deposition enables the conformal growth of ultrathin insulating polymer layers. These polymer films can be deposited on a broad range of materials used for organic and flexible electronics, including graphene.

Large‐Area Compliant Tactile Sensors Using Printed Carbon Nanotube Active‐Matrix Backplanes

Abstract: A 20 × 20 pixel pressure sensor array based on a printed active-matrix single-wall carbon-nanotube thin-film transistor backplane is presented. Using a gravure printing process that is compatible with fully printed large-area roll-to-roll processing, a 97% device yield is obtained on the 400-transistor backplane. As a proof of concept, pressure sensors are integrated to map the applied tactile pressure across the array.

Wearable magnetic field sensors for flexible electronics.

Abstract: Highly flexible bismuth Hall sensors on polymeric foils are fabricated, and the key optimization steps that are required to boost their sensitivity to the bulk value are identified. The sensor can be bent around the wrist or positioned on the finger to realize an interactive pointing device for wearable electronics. Furthermore, this technology is of great interest for the rapidly developing market of -eMobility, for optimization of eMotors and magnetic bearings.

Fully Solution-Processed Flexible Organic Thin Film Transistor Arrays with High Mobility and Exceptional Uniformity

Abstract: Printing fully solution-processed organic electronic devices may potentially revolutionize production of flexible electronics for various applications. However, difficulties in forming thin, flat, uniform films through printing techniques have been responsible for poor device performance and low yields. Here, we report on fully solution-processed organic thin-film transistor (TFT) arrays with greatly improved performance and yields, achieved by layering solution-processable materials such as silver nanoparticle inks, organic semiconductors, and insulating polymers on thin plastic films. A treatment layer improves carrier injection between the source/drain electrodes and the semiconducting layer and dramatically reduces contact resistance. Furthermore, an organic semiconductor with large-crystal grains results in TFT devices with shorter channel lengths and higher field-effect mobilities. We obtained mobilities of over 1.2 cm2 V−1 s−1 in TFT devices with channel lengths shorter than 20 μm. By combining these fabrication techniques, we built highly uniform organic TFT arrays with average mobility levels as high as 0.80 cm2 V−1 s−1 and ideal threshold voltages of 0 V. These results represent major progress in the fabrication of fully solution-processed organic TFT device arrays.

Printable Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries: A New Route toward Shape-Conformable Power Sources with Aesthetic Versatility for Flexible Electronics

Abstract: Forthcoming flexible/wearable electronic devices with shape diversity and mobile usability garner a great deal of attention as an innovative technology to bring unprecedented changes in our daily lives. From the power source point of view, conventional rechargeable batteries (one representative example is a lithium-ion battery) with fixed shapes and sizes have intrinsic limitations in fulfilling design/performance requirements for the flexible/wearable electronics. Here, as a facile and efficient strategy to address this formidable challenge, we demonstrate a new class of printable solid-state batteries (referred to as “PRISS batteries”). Through simple stencil printing process (followed by ultraviolet (UV) cross-linking), solid-state composite electrolyte (SCE) layer and SCE matrix-embedded electrodes are consecutively printed on arbitrary objects of complex geometries, eventually leading to fully integrated, multilayer-structured PRISS batteries with various form factors far beyond those achievable by c...

A Miniaturized Flexible Antenna Printed on a High Dielectric Constant Nanopaper Composite

Abstract: A high-dielectric-constant and flexible cellulose nanopaper composite is prepared by mixing a small amount of silver nanowires with cellulose nanofibers. The nanopaper antenna is downsized by about a half when using the nanopaper substrate. The nanopaper antenna has potential in wearable wireless communication devices.

Solution-processed carbon nanotube thin-film complementary static random access memory

Abstract: Over the past two decades, extensive research on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has elucidated their many extraordinary properties, making them one of the most promising candidates for solution-processable, high-performance integrated circuits. In particular, advances in the enrichment of high-purity semiconducting SWCNTs have enabled recent circuit demonstrations including synchronous digital logic, flexible electronics and high-frequency applications. However, due to the stringent requirements of the transistors used in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic as well as the absence of sufficiently stable and spatially homogeneous SWCNT thin-film transistors, the development of large-scale SWCNT CMOS integrated circuits has been limited in both complexity and functionality. Here, we demonstrate the stable and uniform electronic performance of complementary p-type and n-type SWCNT thin-film transistors by controlling adsorbed atmospheric dopants and incorporating robust encapsulation layers. Based on these complementary SWCNT thin-film transistors, we simulate, design and fabricate arrays of low-power static random access memory circuits, achieving large-scale integration for the first time based on solution-processed semiconductors.

Direct Growth of Single- and Few-Layer MoS2 on h-BN with Preferred Relative Rotation Angles

Abstract: Monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising two-dimensional direct-bandgap semiconductor with potential applications in atomically thin and flexible electronics. An attractive insulating substrate or mate for MoS2 (and related materials such as graphene) is hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). Stacked heterostructures of MoS2 and h-BN have been produced by manual transfer methods, but a more efficient and scalable assembly method is needed. Here we demonstrate the direct growth of single- and few-layer MoS2 on h-BN by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, which is scalable with suitably structured substrates. The growth mechanisms for single-layer and few-layer samples are found to be distinct, and for single-layer samples low relative rotation angles (<5°) between the MoS2 and h-BN lattices prevail. Moreover, MoS2 directly grown on h-BN maintains its intrinsic 1.89 eV bandgap. Our CVD synthesis method presents an important advancement toward controllable and scalable MoS2-based electronic devices.

Recent Progress on Printed Flexible Batteries: Mechanical Challenges, Printing Technologies, and Future Prospects

Abstract: Traditional printing methods offer the advantage of well-matured technology, high accuracy of depositing inks over flexible substrates at high web speeds, and low cost of fabrication. The components of a battery—the current collectors, active layers, and separator—can all be deposited using conventional printing techniques by designing suitable inks. A combination of low thickness of printed electrodes, flexible packaging, battery architecture, and material properties makes printed batteries flexible. In this paper, we will discuss material challenges and mechanical limits of flexible printed batteries. We will review several printing techniques and present examples of batteries printed using these methods. In addition, we will briefly discuss other novel non-printed compliant batteries that have unique mechanical form.

Conductive silver inks and their applications in printed and flexible electronics

Abstract: Conductive inks have been widely investigated in recent years due to their popularity in printed electronics (PE) and flexible electronics (FE). They comprise specific and unique applications that belong to a whole new level of future technology. In this context, silver is a keenly researched material for its promising application in conductive inks. In printing technology, silver conductive inks have a major role in electronic applications. The emerging integration of different technologies is in the form of silver nanoinks. In recent years, the printed electronics market has been dominated by expensive materials such as gold, platinum, etc., which result in costly and complex instruments. To overcome these drawbacks, silver conductive inks can serve as alternative to the current technology. Presently, printed circuit boards (PCBs) use complex and expensive techniques to fabricate the circuit boards, which in turn increases the overall cost. Solvent-based silver conductive inks are capable of substituting PCB technology while reducing the cost of manufacturing. Due to their stellar reputation, investors are looking forward to applying this technology in printed electronics industries.

Organic printed photonics: From microring lasers to integrated circuits.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is the optical analogy of an electronic loop in which photons are signal carriers with high transport speed and parallel processing capability. Besides the most frequently demonstrated silicon-based circuits, PICs require a variety of materials for light generation, processing, modulation, and detection. With their diversity and flexibility, organic molecular materials provide an alternative platform for photonics; however, the versatile fabrication of organic integrated circuits with the desired photonic performance remains a big challenge. The rapid development of flexible electronics has shown that a solution printing technique has considerable potential for the large-scale fabrication and integration of microsized/nanosized devices. We propose the idea of soft photonics and demonstrate the function-directed fabrication of high-quality organic photonic devices and circuits. We prepared size-tunable and reproducible polymer microring resonators on a wafer-scale transparent and flexible chip using a solution printing technique. The printed optical resonator showed a quality (Q) factor higher than 4 × 10(5), which is comparable to that of silicon-based resonators. The high material compatibility of this printed photonic chip enabled us to realize low-threshold microlasers by doping organic functional molecules into a typical photonic device. On an identical chip, this construction strategy allowed us to design a complex assembly of one-dimensional waveguide and resonator components for light signal filtering and optical storage toward the large-scale on-chip integration of microscopic photonic units. Thus, we have developed a scheme for soft photonic integration that may motivate further studies on organic photonic materials and devices.