3D Shape‐Morphing Display Enabled by Electrothermally Responsive, Stiffness‐Tunable Liquid Metal Platform with Stretchable Electroluminescent Device

Abstract

3D displays are of great interest as next‐generation displays by providing intensified realism of 3D visual information and haptic perception. However, challenges lie in implementing 3D displays due to the limitation of conventional display manufacturing technologies that restrict the dimensional scaling of their forms beyond the 2D layout. Furthermore, on account of the inherent static mechanical properties of constituent materials, the current display form factors can hardly achieve robust and complex 3D structures, thereby hindering their diversity in morphologies and applications. Herein, a versatile shape‐morphing display is presented that can reconfigure its shape into various complex 3D structures through electrothermal operation and firmly maintain its morphed states without power consumption. To achieve this, a shape‐morphing platform, which is composed of a low melting point alloy (LMPA)‐graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)‐elastomer composite, is integrated with a stretchable electroluminescent (EL) device. The LMPA in the composite, the key material for variable stiffness, imparts shape memory property and forms conductive pathways with GNPs enabling rapid electrothermal actuation. The stretchable EL device provides reliable illumination in 3D shape implementations. Experimental studies and proof‐of‐concept demonstrations show the potential of the shape‐morphing display, opening new opportunities for 3D art displays, transformative wearable electronics, and visio‐tactile automotive interfaces.

Hydrogel-assisted microfluidic spinning of stretchable fibers via fluidic and interfacial self-adaptations

“…Second, microscaled silicone fibers with soft mechanical properties and well-known biosafety can hold great promise for using in biosystems. Third, considering the huge library of SOPs and functional composite agents [e.g., conductive ( 42 , 43 ), fluorescent ( 44 , 45 ), magnetic ( 46 , 47 ), electroluminescent ( 48 , 49 ), and mechanoluminescent ( 50 , 51 ) ones], this method can probably be widely used for developing stretchable fibers with versatile functionalities. Fourth, the excellent rope-twisting ability and knittability of some SOP-based fibers, along with their mass-producing capability and ultralong length enabled by this method, unprecedentedly make them potential to serve as ropes or textiles with more versatile functionalities.…”

Mechanically-Guided 3D Assembly for Architected Flexible Electronics

“…411 Additionally, by the use of low melting point alloy (LMPA)-graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)elastomer composites, 3D morphable displays were also fabricated, featuring rapid electrothermal actuation capabilities and stable illuminations under various 3D configurations. 413 6.4.2. 3D Devices for Photodetection and Light Manipulation.…”

“…Morphable 3D displays were also achieved by the use of responsive substrates. , For example, a morphable display was manufactured by integrating electrically actuated substrates with LED arrays/EL materials, exhibiting unvaried illuminations during complex deformations . Additionally, by the use of low melting point alloy (LMPA)-graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)-elastomer composites, 3D morphable displays were also fabricated, featuring rapid electrothermal actuation capabilities and stable illuminations under various 3D configurations …”

“…Various flexible 3D displays were manufactured through mechanically-guided assembly. ,,− Figure a presents a 3D foldable quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) display that showed negligible illumination degradation under cycled folding deformations with extreme small bending radii . Ultrathin displays of inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (i.e., AlInGaP) were manufactured, capable of integration with various unusual substrates, such as papers, Al foils, catheter balloons, and glass/plastic tubes and fibers (Figure b) .…”

Triple-Responsive Soft Actuator with Plastically Retentive Deformation and Magnetically Programmable Recovery

“…In recent years, thermally responsive actuators have attracted increasing interest due to their capability of exhibiting large-volume shape changes and enabling various actuation mechanisms. Such actuators can respond to various heat-generating methods such as joule heating, , photothermal heating, , and magnetocaloric effects . However, conventional thermally responsive soft actuators are actuated by the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the actuation materials.…”