This paper reviews thin-film materials and technologies for flexible electronics and considers future applications in healthcare, the automotive industry, human-machine interfaces, mobile devices, and other environments.

Solid-state and flexible zinc carbon (or Leclanche) batteries are fabricated using a combination of functional nanostructured materials for optimum performance. Flexible carbon nanofiber mats obtained by electrospinning are used as a current collector and cathode support for the batteries. The cathode layer consists of manganese oxide particles combined with single-walled carbon nanotubes for improved conductivity. A polyethylene oxide layer containing titanium oxide nanoparticles forms the electrolyte layer, and a thin zinc foil is used as the anode. The battery is shown to retain its performance under mechanically stressed conditions. The results show that the above configuration can achieve solid-state mechanical flexibility and increased shelf life with little sacrifice in performance.

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A solution growth approach for zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires is highly appealing because of the low growth temperature and possibility for large area synthesis. Reported reaction times for ZnO nanowire synthesis, however, are long, spanning from several hours to days. In this work, we report on the rapid synthesis of ZnO nanowires on various substrates (such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), silicon and glass) using a commercially available microwave oven. The average growth rate of our nanowires is determined to be as high as 100 nm min(-1), depending on the microwave power. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed a defect-free single-crystalline lattice of the nanowires. A detailed analysis of the growth characteristics of ZnO nanowires as functions of growth time and microwave power is reported. Our work demonstrates the possibility of a fast synthesis route using microwave heating for nanomaterials synthesis.

We describe a simple process for the fabrication of transparent and flexible, solid-state supercapacitors. Symmetric electrodes made up of binder-free single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin films were deposited onto polydimethylsiloxane substrates by vacuum filtration followed by a stamping method, and solid-state supercapacitor devices were assembled using a gel electrolyte. An optical transmittance of 82% was found for 0.02 mg of SWCNTs, and a specific capacitance of 22.2 F/g was obtained. The power density can reach to 41.5 kW•kg −1 and shows good capacity retention (94%) upon cycling over 500 times. Fabricated supercapacitors will be relevant for the realization of transparent and flexible devices with energy storage capabilities, displays and touch screens in particular.