Flexible Organic Sheet with Monolithic Cell Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for organic integrated electronic systems face limitations in creating flexible, scalable, and multifunctional devices that can be easily customized for various applications, particularly in large-area displays and surface profile morphing or pressure distribution mapping, where existing devices lack the ability to seamlessly integrate energy storage and actuation/sensing capabilities in a unified, flexible format.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sheet of organic polymeric material with a monolithically fabricated array of self-consistent cells, each capable of independent operation, including photovoltaic elements and energy storage, that can be cut to any shape or size and configured for parallel power supply, enabling applications such as large-area displays and pressure distribution mapping with integrated sensing and actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used for energy storage and actuation/sensing, then device functionality is achieved, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines energy storage (battery) and actuation/sensing (IPMC transducer) components into a single integrated flexible device. The battery electrodes serve dual purposes as both power sources and structural elements, while the IPMC layer integrates both actuating and sensing capabilities in one component, eliminating the need for separate wired connections and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The IPMC transducer layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an actuator for surface profile morphing, a sensor for detecting mechanical stimuli, and works in conjunction with the battery to provide both power and control functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible organic materials are used, then adaptability and biocompatibility are improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film fabrication techniques to create flexible organic layers including the IPMC transducer and battery components. These thin films provide the necessary flexibility and biocompatibility while maintaining controlled thickness and uniformity through deposition processes, achieving both adaptability and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses composite structures combining organic materials (IPMC polymer, organic battery electrolytes) with carefully controlled inorganic components (metal electrodes, oxide layers). This composite approach allows the flexible organic materials to provide adaptability and biocompatibility while the structured inorganic components ensure manufacturing precision and device reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If large-area devices are created, then application scope is expanded, but manufacturing complexity and quality control worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large-area device into repeating modular units or cells that can be fabricated independently and then assembled or connected to form larger configurations. This segmentation allows standardization of manufacturing processes for each module while enabling scalable production of large-area devices through replication and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs universal building blocks and standardized interfaces that can be replicated across large areas. The modular design with consistent cell structures and interconnection methods enables scalable manufacturing from small to large areas without proportionally increasing fabrication complexity, as the same manufacturing processes are repeated across the entire device area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for the creation of flexible, scalable devices with integrated energy storage and actuation/sensing capabilities, enabling seamless integration of multiple functionalities across large areas, enhanced packing density of active areas, and biocompatibility, suitable for diverse applications including flexible displays and surface profiling.
Implementation Method 1
each cell may be self-consistent including an individually operable integrated circuit and transducer element capable of performing a certain function and powering means or device that may include a photovoltaic element
Implementation Method 2
Organic materials configured to change their shape when subjected to an electrical signal or to produce an output signal when subjected to bending, compressive, or tensioning forces have been studied. Among these kinds of 'organic smart materials,' electro-active polymers (EAP) have been extensively investigated and used to make electromechanical devices with sensing and/or actuating capabilities.
Implementation Method 3
Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) generally include a thin polymeric membrane having a thickness of about 200 μm, coated, generally by an electroplating process, with noble metal electrodes, most usually with platinum, with a thickness of 5-10 μm. When a voltage is applied, to these electrodes, the IPMC bends
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible sheet of organic polymer material, may include a monolithically fabricated array of one or more types of cells juxtaposed among them to form a multi-cell sheet. Each cell may include a self consistent, organic base integrated circuit, replicated in each cell of same type of the array, and shares, in common with other cells of same type, at least a conductor layer of either an electrical supply rail of the integrated circuit or of an input/output of the integrated circuit. A piece of the multi-cell, sheet including any number of self consistent integrated circuit cells, may be severed from the multi-cell sheet by cutting the sheet along intercell boundaries or straight lines, with a reduced affect on the operability of any cell spared by the cutting.