Date/Time
Date(s) - 14/04/2022
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Title: Development of wrinkled thin film devices forstretchable electronics

Date: Thursday, April 14

Time: 1:30-2:30

Note: this seminar is beingoffered in hybrid format.

Room: ABB A204

Zoom for detail contact chemgrad@mcmaster.ca 

Host: Jose Moran-Mirabal

Abstract: Stretchableelectronics are soft and light weight. Compared with conventional wafer-basedelectronics, which are rigid and planar, stretchable electronics can conform tocurved surfaces and movable parts. The unique properties of stretchableelectronics enable their integration with the human body, and open the door forever more compelling applications, such as advanced surgical tools, wearablemonitoring electronics, implantable prosthesis, and many others. However, thedevelopment of stretchable electronics is still at an early stage since theirmechanical robustness and electrical performance are still far from satisfying.

In this work, I have developed a method to fabricate thin filmstretchable devices by solvent-assisted transfer of wrinkled thin films fromrigid polystyrene (PS) substrates to elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Using thisapproach, structured thin films containing multiple materials and hybridstructures could be lifted off simultaneously, facilitating the fabrication ofstretchable thin film devices. With this approach, I have builtcorrosion-resistant stretchable electrodes, stretchable thin film heaters, andstretchable thin film inductors. These applications demonstrate the simplicityand effectiveness of this stretchable electronics fabrication strategy.Finally, I made the first step towards fabricating dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) with room temperature processes, including the preparation ofmesoporous TiO₂ layers through mechanical compression and theintegration of an interdigitated electrode that was fabricated solely bybench-top patterning, alignment, and sputtering deposition. These steps lay the foundation for the futuredevelopment of stretchable DSSC. I anticipate that the fabricated stretchablethin films electronic components will contribute to the advancement of wearableand implantable electronics.