Mechanically transformative electronics, sensors, and implantable devices

TLDR

Traditionally, electronics have been designed with static form factors to serve designated purposes, an approach that has maintained device performance and reliability for targeted applications, but electronics capable of changing shape, flexibility, and stretchability will enable versatile and accommodating systems for more diverse applications. The study reports design concepts, materials, physics, and manufacturing strategies that enable reconfigurable electronic systems based on temperature‑triggered tuning of mechanical characteristics. By tuning mechanical characteristics with temperature, the device platforms can alter shape, flexibility, and stretchability, enabling versatile systems for diverse applications. The technology enabled personal electronics with variable stiffness and stretchability, a pressure sensor with tunable bandwidth and sensitivity, and a neural probe that softens upon integration with brain tissue, thereby substantially broadening wearable and implantable applications.

Abstract

Traditionally, electronics have been designed with static form factors to serve designated purposes. This approach has been an optimal direction for maintaining the overall device performance and reliability for targeted applications. However, electronics capable of changing their shape, flexibility, and stretchability will enable versatile and accommodating systems for more diverse applications. Here, we report design concepts, materials, physics, and manufacturing strategies that enable these reconfigurable electronic systems based on temperature-triggered tuning of mechanical characteristics of device platforms. We applied this technology to create personal electronics with variable stiffness and stretchability, a pressure sensor with tunable bandwidth and sensitivity, and a neural probe that softens upon integration with brain tissue. Together, these types of transformative electronics will substantially broaden the use of electronics for wearable and implantable applications.