Recent Progress in Printing Conductive Materials for Stretchable Electronics

Abstract

Printed electronics received a great attention in both research and commercialization since it allows fabrication of low-cost, large area electronic devices on various substrates. Printed electronics plays a critical role in facilitating stretchable electronics since it allows patterning newly developed stretchable conductors which is difficult to be achieved with conventional silicon-based microfabrication technologies, such as photolithography and vacuum-based techniques. To realize printed electronics which is necessary for the development of stretchable electronics, printing technologies, formulation of conductive inks, and integration of functional devices have been widely investigated in the recent years. This review summarizes principles and recent development of printing techniques, materials for stretchable conductors and their applications in stretchable electronics using various printing techniques. The challenge is that only a few researches satisfying both excellent materials properties and good printability were reported. Future efforts will greatly expand the possibilities of using printed electronics for stretchable electronics.