Recoverable/stretchable polymer spring with embedded CNTs electrical routing for large-area electronic applications

Abstract

This study presents a large-area chip-network using polymer stretchable spring with embedded carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The CNTs as piezo-resistive sensing element and metal routing was located on the node and spring to achieve functional device. The mechanical and electrical connections of surrounding devices were linked by CNTs-polymer stretchable spring. The polymer spring stretches and expands the device nodes by several times of magnitude area to establish a 2D chip-network system. Merits of this approach: (1) polymer stretchable spring with large fracture strain acts as mechanical connection; (2) the polymer spring has better recoverability after stretching; (3) vertically-aligned CNTs are exploited as electrical routing and promising sensing material for different stress state; (4) the chip-network with flexibility can apply to curved surfaces.