improving organic transistors that drive flexible and conformable electronics

UMass Amherst scientists advance understanding of strain effects on performance of carbon-based, single-crystal semiconductors. More information:

http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/improving-organic-transistors-drive

Schematic of wrinkled rubrene single-crystal field-effect transistor. Wrinkles are obtained when in-plane compressive strain is applied on the elastomeric substrate. Electric current between gold (Au) electrodes is modulated by the deformation imposed by the wrinkles. Courtesy UMass Amherst.

New aluminum flexible battery charges phone in 1 minute

These batteries could become mainstream in PaperPhone-like thinfilm flexible smartphones.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/new-aluminum-battery-charges-minute

new liquid metal inkjet printing could produce flexible circuitry

Researchers at Purdue University have proposed a way of printing liquid metal alloys. Their method involves dispersing gallium-indium in ethanol via ultrasound. The created nanoparticle solution is suitable for inkjet printing and can be printed onto any surface. Once printed the ethanol evaporates and after light pressure the particles fuse together creating a conductive material.

"We want to create stretchable electronics that might be compatible with soft machines, such as robots that need to squeeze through small spaces, or wearable technologies that aren't restrictive of motion," said  Rebecca Kramer, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University. "Conductors made from liquid metal can stretch and deform without breaking."