Stretchable Capacitor Electrode-Conductor Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon nanotube electrodes and conductors are prone to breaking when repeatedly stretched in different directions, limiting their strain tolerance and stability in stretchable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pre-stretched elastic substrate with a carbon nanotube active material composite layer, where the substrate is biaxially pre-stretched and carbon nanotubes are aligned to form a grid structure, allowing the structure to absorb stress and maintain integrity under large strain cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional carbon nanotube electrodes and conductors are used, then they can be stretched with small stress in a single direction, but they are easily broken when repeatedly stretched in different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from uniaxial stretching to biaxial pre-stretching, adding a dimensional aspect to the deformation. By pre-stretching the elastic substrate in two perpendicular directions (first and second directions), the carbon nanotube network is configured to accommodate multidirectional strain, fundamentally changing how the structure responds to repeated deformations in different directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining an elastic substrate with a carbon nanotube network. This composite material approach allows the flexible substrate to provide the stretching capability while the carbon nanotube network maintains electrical conductivity and structural integrity under repeated strain cycles, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.
2Reliability
If carbon nanotube films are used as conductors and capacitor electrodes, then they provide good electrical properties, but they cannot withstand large amount of stretching and repeated deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through biaxial pre-stretching, allowing the carbon nanotube network to dynamically adjust its configuration under strain. The network can deform and reconfigure in response to stretching forces while maintaining electrical connectivity, enabling the material to withstand large deformations and repeated mechanical cycles without losing electrical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and configuration parameters of the carbon nanotube network through biaxial pre-stretching. This parameter change transforms the network from a rigid, brittle structure into a flexible, resilient configuration that can accommodate large strains while preserving electrical conductivity, thus improving both mechanical durability and electrical reliability.
3Strength
If stretchable capacitor electrodes and conductors are designed for high strain tolerance, then they can withstand large deformations, but they may compromise resistance stability under strain cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action through biaxial pre-stretching before the actual use of the stretchable capacitor. This pre-stretching configures the carbon nanotube network in advance to accommodate future deformations, creating a resilient structure that maintains resistance stability during subsequent strain cycles. The pre-stretching essentially pre-conditions the material to handle repeated stretching without compromising electrical properties.
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 method enhances the resistance stability and tensile cycle performance of stretchable capacitor electrode-conductor structures, enabling them to withstand repeated deformations in various directions without breaking, with improved capacity retention and resistance stability under strain.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic substrate, and pre-stretching the elastic substrate along a first direction and a second direction intersecting with the first direction
Implementation Method 2
the substrate is biaxially pre-stretched and carbon nanotubes are aligned to form a grid structure, allowing the structure to absorb stress
Implementation Method 3
allowing the structure to absorb stress and maintain integrity under large strain cycles
Implementation Method 4
the stretchable capacitor electrodes and the conductors of the stretchable capacitor need to have the ability to resist repeated stretching in different directions
Implementation Method 5
Carbon nanotube films have excellent mechanical properties and electrical properties. The carbon nanotube films can be used not only as a conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a stretchable capacitor electrode-conductor structure is provided. An elastic substrate is pre-stretched in a first direction and a second direction, to obtain a pre-stretched elastic substrate. A carbon nanotube active material composite layer is laid on a surface of the pre-stretched elastic substrate. The pre-stretching the elastic substrate in the first direction and the second direction is removed to form a plurality of wrinkles on a surface of the carbon nanotube active material composite layer. The carbon nanotube active material composite layer is processed to obtain a capacitor electrode and a conductor structure.