Highly Stretchable Transistors Using a Microcracked Organic Semiconductor

Abstract: Liberating electronic devices from the confines of traditional rigid substrates can improve mechanical robustness and enable new applications and manufacturing methods. Stretchability facilitates electronics that can be mounted on unconventional substrates,[1] such as lenses and human bodies[2], and allows dynamic tuning of devices such as electronic eye cameras[3] and lasers.[4] Accommodating complex movements of supporting structures facilitates integration with moving entities and is critical for biointerfacing applications[5] and electronic skins[6-10] for prosthetics and robotics. Arrays of electronic devices often include transistors as active addressing elements in order to improve the signal collection process.[5, 8] Furthermore, many applications, including sensor arrays[6, 11] and displays,[12] require large area coverage and therefore benefit from low-cost, high-throughput fabrication methods. In this communication, we report highly stretchable transistors based on a microcracked organic semiconductor that retain transistor characteristics to >250％ strain. The fabrication process involves cost efficient solution methods including spraycoating and spincoating.