Shape Adaptive 3D Tubular Structure for Stretchable Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for the development of stretchable, three-dimensional (3D) interactive electronics that can adapt to environmental stimuli and maintain structural integrity, as existing 2D planar structures lack the necessary geometric flexibility and responsiveness.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable 3D tubular structure is created by pre-stretching and releasing a multilayer film, resulting in a structure with a wrinkled inner surface and an openable seam, allowing for controlled opening and closing, and enabling the integration of customizable electrodes for advanced sensors and supercapacitors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If 2D planar structures are used for electronic devices, then manufacturing is simpler, but geometric flexibility and responsiveness to environmental stimuli are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometric flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D planar structures to 3D tubular structures by introducing an additional spatial dimension. The multilayer film is configured to form a tubular geometry with radial and axial dimensions, enabling geometric flexibility and responsiveness to environmental stimuli that cannot be achieved with planar structures alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates dynamic characteristics through the tubular structure's ability to expand, contract, and deform in response to environmental stimuli. The structure includes movable components such as adjustable seams and flexible walls that can change configuration dynamically, providing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If 3D tubular structures are created from multilayer films, then geometric flexibility and responsiveness are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimuli responsivenessVSAvoidfabrication ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary actions during the fabrication process by pre-configuring the multilayer film with specific material properties, layer orientations, and bonding characteristics before forming the final tubular structure. This preliminary preparation enables the structure to respond to stimuli while simplifying the subsequent formation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite multilayer films consisting of different materials with complementary properties. Each layer is selected for specific functions (e.g., flexibility, strength, stimuli responsiveness), and their combination achieves the desired performance while managing fabrication complexity through material compatibility and standardized processing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If the tubular structure has an openable seam for adaptability, then geometric reconfiguration is enabled, but structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape reconfigurabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the tubular structure into segments separated by adjustable seams, allowing independent movement and reconfiguration of each segment. This segmentation enables shape changes while maintaining structural integrity within each segment, as the segments are connected through controlled interfaces rather than continuous joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible thin film materials for the tubular structure walls that can accommodate seam movement and reconfiguration. These flexible films maintain structural integrity through their inherent mechanical properties while allowing the seam to open and close, providing both adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 3D tubular structure demonstrates enhanced sensitivity and adaptability, with dual-level piezoresistive sensitivity and mechanochromic effects, enabling applications such as tactile responsive devices and stretchable supercapacitors with high specific capacitance, while being compatible with modern 2D film deposition technologies.

Implementation Method 1

pre-stretching and releasing a multilayer precursor film to form the multilayer film that is substantially to fully tubular in structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

dual-level piezoresistive sensitivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoresistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11752745B2Shape adaptive wrinkle-driven 3D tubular structure for stretchable interactive electronics

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 UNIV OF CONNECTICUT

AI summary

Disclosed is a stretchable, three-dimensional tubular structure formed due to processing-induced wrinkles to result in a platform for stretchable interactive electronics. The three-dimensional tubular structure is fabricated simply by releasing a pre-stretched two-dimensional film-substrate precursor, and the resulting wrinkled surface shows a strong directional dependence that drives the tube formation.