Flexible Electronics: Stretchable Electrodes and Their Future

TLDR

Flexible electronics aim to combine durability and high performance under strain, driving intense research into stretchable electrodes for wearables, implants, and soft robots, with stretchability being the most demanding deformation mode. The review surveys recent progress in kirigami‑based stretchable transparent electrodes and their applications in skin‑like electronics, biodegradable implants, and soft robotics. The authors compare optoelectrical and mechanical properties of various electrode materials and discuss design considerations—geometries, substrates, adhesion—to guide universal strategies for engineering stretchable electrodes. Highly stretchable, biocompatible electrodes are expected to accelerate the development of next‑generation intelligent, life‑like electronics.

Abstract

Abstract Flexible electronics, as an emerging and exciting research field, have brought great interest to the issue of how to make flexible electronic materials that offer both durability and high performance at strained states. With the advent of on‐body wearable and implantable electronics, as well as increasing demands for human‐friendly intelligent soft robots, enormous effort is being expended on highly flexible functional materials, especially stretchable electrodes, by both the academic and industrial communities. Among different deformation modes, stretchability is the most demanding and challenging. This review focuses on the latest advances in stretchable transparent electrodes based on a new design strategy known as kirigami (the art of paper cutting) and investigates the recent progress on novel applications, including skin‐like electronics, implantable biodegradable devices, and bioinspired soft robotics. By comparing the optoelectrical and mechanical properties of different electrode materials, some of the most important outcomes with comments on their merits and demerits are raised. Key design considerations in terms of geometries, substrates, and adhesion are also discussed, offering insights into the universal strategies for engineering stretchable electrodes regardless of the material. It is suggested that highly stretchable and biocompatible electrodes will greatly boost the development of next‐generation intelligent life‐like electronics.