Materials Engineering for Flexible Metallic Thin Film Applications

Abstract

More and more flexible, bendable, and stretchable sensors and displays are becoming a reality. While complex engineering and fabrication methods exist to manufacture flexible thin film systems, materials engineering through advanced metallic thin film deposition methods can also be utilized to create robust and long-lasting flexible devices. In this review, materials engineering concepts as well as electro-mechanical testing aspects will be discussed for metallic films. Through the use of residual stress, film thickness, or microstructure tailoring, all controlled by the film deposition parameters, long-lasting flexible film systems in terms of increased fracture or deformation strains, electrical or mechanical reliability, can be generated. These topics, as well as concrete examples, will be discussed. One objective of this work is to provide a toolbox with sustainable and scalable methods to create robust metal thin films for flexible, bendable, and stretchable applications.

Effects of the Transfer Method and Interfacial Adhesion on the Frictional and Wear Resistance Properties of a Graphene-Coated Polymer

“…When the interfacial adhesion is weak, the Gr coatings around the area in contact with the scratch probe readily delaminate from the PET substrate, making them free-standing. These free-standing Gr coatings are known to fracture prematurely [ 32 ]. The delamination-induced premature fracture of the Gr coating brings the scratch tip into direct contact with the PET substrate during the scratch, downgrading the frictional and wear resistance properties of the Gr/PET film ( Figure 5 a,c and Figure S5b,c ).…”

Nematode surface functionalization with hydrogel sheaths tailored in situ

“…Thin hydrogel films are generally known to have higher flexibility than thick hydrogels, which are easily broken down by bending ( Supplementary Fig. S10 ) [ 52 ]. Taken together, these results indicate that the CTICLE technique is harmless to nematodes with minimal effects on viability and physiological functions.…”

Transparent Metal Mesh Electrodes Microfabricated by Structuring Water-Soluble Polymer Resist via Laser Ablation

“…Furthermore, resizing this shape (scaling) is easier and quicker in comparison to traditional lithography, where each image change requires the creation of a new mask. Also, since the ingredient that could damage the surface has been eliminated, this method can be adapted to flexible polymeric substrates and, moreover, used in industrial manufacturing once the individual steps of deposition, laser structuring and polymer film preparation are introduced into large-scale production.…”