Stretchable Polymer Thin Film for High Mobility Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current stretchable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining electrical performance and flexibility, as existing materials fail to provide both high charge mobility and significant stretchability without compromising their original properties.

Innovation Solution

A polymer semiconductor comprising a first structural unit and a second structural unit, formulated into a stretchable polymer thin film, which includes an elastomer to maintain charge mobility and flexibility, allowing the device to stretch by up to 30% with minimal change in electrical characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional materials are used in stretchable electronic devices, then the devices can achieve stretchability, but the electrical performance (charge mobility) deteriorates significantly during stretching

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestretchabilityVSAvoidelectrical performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material system consisting of a polymer semiconductor combined with an elastomer matrix. The polymer semiconductor provides high charge mobility while the elastomer provides stretchability. This composite structure allows the material to simultaneously achieve both electrical performance and mechanical flexibility, resolving the contradiction between maintaining charge mobility and achieving stretchability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the semiconductor material by integrating it into an elastomer matrix with specific mechanical properties. The elastomer's elastic modulus and crosslinking density are optimized to allow sufficient stretching while maintaining the semiconductor's charge transport pathways. This parameter optimization enables the material to maintain electrical performance during deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If polymer semiconductors are designed for high charge mobility, then electrical properties improve, but stretchability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge mobilityVSAvoidstretchability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct functional regions within the composite material. The polymer semiconductor forms continuous pathways for charge transport (local electrical function) while the elastomer matrix provides the bulk mechanical properties for stretching (local mechanical function). This spatial differentiation of functions allows the material to exhibit both high charge mobility and significant stretchability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11737346B2Polymer semiconductors, stretchable polymer thin films, and electronic devices

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a polymer semiconductor including a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, a stretchable polymer thin film including the same, and an electronic device.Definitions of Chemical Formulas 1 and 2 are as described in the detailed description.