Stretchable Electrode Adhesion via Partial Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving high adhesion and stretchability simultaneously in stretchable electronics is challenging due to poor interfacial adhesion between metal films and elastic substrates, which affects the encapsulation process and practical applications of flexible devices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the deposition of a metal film on a non-fully cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate via thermal evaporation, creating a wrinkled layer with pillars that enhances adhesion and stretchability by forming a karst caves-like structure with high adhesion strength and surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a metal film is deposited on a fully cured elastic substrate, then the conductor structure is stable, but the adhesion between metal film and substrate is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by depositing the metal film on a non-fully cured elastic substrate rather than a fully cured one. The substrate is maintained in a partially cured state (uncured or partially cured for less than 30 minutes) during metal deposition, allowing the metal to penetrate and intermingle with the polymer chains before full curing occurs. This preliminary intervention creates strong interfacial adhesion while maintaining structural stability after complete curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curing state parameter of the elastic substrate from fully cured to non-fully cured (uncured or partially cured for less than 30 minutes) during the metal deposition process. This parameter change allows the substrate to be in a more reactive state that enhances metal penetration and adhesion, while the final cured product maintains structural stability.
2Strength
If a metal film is deposited on a non-fully cured substrate, then the adhesion is improved, but the curing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the metal deposition action preliminarily, before the substrate is fully cured. By depositing metal on the non-fully cured substrate (uncured or partially cured for less than 30 minutes), the metal can penetrate and intermingle with the polymer chains during the ongoing curing process, simplifying the overall fabrication by combining deposition and curing into a more integrated process rather than requiring separate post-curing modification steps.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the substrate is fully cured before metal deposition, then the substrate properties are stable, but the stretchability of the conductor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing parameter of the substrate from fully cured to non-fully cured (uncured or partially cured for less than 30 minutes) during metal deposition. This parameter change allows the substrate to remain more flexible and adaptable during the deposition process, enabling the metal to penetrate and intermingle with polymer chains, which enhances stretchability while maintaining structural stability after complete curing.
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 results in stretchable electrodes with high adhesion strength (>1 MPa) and stretchability exceeding 130%, suitable for applications in flexible electronics and implantable devices.
Implementation Method 1
depositing a metal on the non-fully cured sample via thermal evaporation to form the stretchable electrode
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to method of forming a stretchable electrode comprising depositing a metal on the non-fully cured sample via thermal evaporation to form the stretchable electrode. The non-fully cured sample may be uncured or is partially cured for a duration of less than 30 minutes and may be fully cured during deposition of the metal. The invention also relates to a stretchable electrode comprising a base layer; a wrinkled layer; and a plurality of pillars extending from the base layer to the wrinkled layer; and a metal film on the wrinkled layer; wherein the base layer, the wrinkled layer, and the plurality of pillars comprise a polymer.