Stretchable Conductive Composites for Soft Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronics integrated into soft devices often delaminate or break when bent and stretched, due to the incompatibility of metal wires with the soft materials used in these devices, limiting their functionality and durability.
Innovation Solution
Development of conductive elastomeric composites with embedded metal or carbon fibers that provide anisotropic mechanical and electrical properties, allowing for flexible and stretchable conductive pathways that maintain electrical conductivity even under deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal wires are embedded in soft devices, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but the wires delaminate or break when the device bends and stretches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the conductive element from rigid metal wires to flexible conductive composites with elastomeric matrices and conductive particles. This transformation allows the material to undergo large deformations while maintaining electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of elastomeric matrices combined with conductive particles (such as metal particles, carbon particles, or conductive polymers). This composite structure provides both the flexibility of the elastomer and the electrical conductivity of the particles, enabling the device to bend and stretch without breaking electrical connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conductive particle composites are used to create stretchable conductors, then flexibility is achieved, but resistivity increases and can change by several orders of magnitude during reorganization of the percolation network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible elastomeric matrices as the continuous phase in the composite, allowing the conductive structure to deform flexibly while maintaining structural integrity. The elastomeric shell accommodates deformation without causing delamination or breakage, preserving both stretchability and resistivity stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration, size, and distribution of conductive particles within the elastomeric matrix to maintain stable percolation pathways during deformation. By carefully controlling these parameters, the composite achieves low and stable resistivity even when stretched, preventing the resistivity from changing by several orders of magnitude.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional metal wires are used in soft devices, then electrical conductivity is provided, but the wires are incompatible with soft materials during bending and stretching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional metal wires with conductive composite materials that combine elastomeric matrices with conductive particles. This composite approach provides electrical conductivity while ensuring compatibility with soft materials, as the elastomeric matrix has similar mechanical properties to the surrounding soft device materials, preventing delamination during bending and stretching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the physical state and mechanical properties of the conductive element from rigid metal to flexible composite by changing parameters such as the matrix material composition, particle concentration, and crosslinking density. These parameter changes enable the conductive element to match the mechanical properties of soft materials while maintaining electrical functionality.
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 composites enable the creation of flexible and stretchable electrical connections that maintain conductivity and durability, suitable for integration into soft robotics and devices, enhancing their operational capabilities and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of conductive fibers embedded in an elastomeric substrate providing a plurality of conductive pathways in the composite
Implementation Method 2
the conductive fibers have a majority fiber axis and the majority fiber axis defines a first conductive pathway in the composite. The first conductive pathway has a lower resistivity than the other conductive pathways in the composite and the composite exhibits anisotropic mechanical properties and resistivity
Data Source
AI summary
An elastically-deformable, conductive composite using elastomers and conductive fibers and simple fabrication procedures is provided. Conductive elastomeric composites offer low resistance to electrical current and are elastic over large (>25%) extensional strains. They can be easily interfaced/built into structures fabricated from elastomeric polymers.