Ultrastretchable, cyclable and recyclable 1- and 2-dimensional conductors based on physically cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer gels

Mineart, Kenneth P.; Lin, Yiliang; Desai, Sharvil; Krishnan, A.; Spontak, Richard J.; Dickey, Michael D.

doi:10.1039/c3sm51136g

Cited by 87 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 41 publications

(46 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Physical incorporation of a midblock-selective, low-volatility organic solvent into a nonpolar TPE tends to swell the molecular network, thereby yielding a thermoplastic elastomer gel (TPEG) at low copolymer concentrations (but above the critical gel concentration). [20][21][22][23] These soft materials possess highly tunable (electro)mechanical properties and are of considerable interest in the development of dielectric elastomers, [24][25][26][27] fl exible electronics [ 28 ] and microfl uidic substrates. [ 29 ] In some instances, ABA-triblock copolymers have been specifi cally designed with a nonionic hydrophilic (typically ethoxylated [30][31][32] ) middle block to facilitate inclusion of water, ionic liquids, or other polar liquids for use in contemporary technologies such as personal-care products, fuel cells, and separation membranes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological Investigation of Midblock‐Sulfonated Block Ionomers Prepared from Solvents Differing in Polarity

Mineart

Jiang

Jinnai

et al. 2014

Macromol. Rapid Commun.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent developments regarding charged multiblock copolymers that can form physical networks and exhibit robust mechanical properties herald new and exciting opportunities for contemporary technologies requiring amphiphilic attributes. Due to the presence of strong interactions, however, control over the phase behavior of such materials remains challenging, especially since their morphologies can be solvent-templated. In this study, transmission electron microscopy and microtomography are employed to examine the morphological characteristics of midblock-sulfonated pentablock ionomers prepared from solvents differing in polarity. Resultant images confirm that discrete, spherical ion-rich microdomains form in films cast from a relatively nonpolar solvent, whereas an apparently mixed morphology with a continuous ion-rich pathway is generated when the casting solvent is more highly polar. Detailed 3D analysis of the morphological characteristics confirms the coexistence of hexagonally-packed nonpolar cylinders and lamellae, which facilitates the diffusion of ions and/or other polar species through the nanostructured medium.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological Investigation of Midblock‐Sulfonated Block Ionomers Prepared from Solvents Differing in Polarity

Mineart

Jiang

Jinnai

et al. 2014

Macromol. Rapid Commun.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The emergence of non-toxic and safe to use liquid metal such as Eutectic Gallium-Indium (EGaIn) and Galinstan has strong potential for reconfigurable RF components [9]- [25]. Several demonstrations so far have used flexible polymers such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) into which liquid metal antennas were encapsulated so that it can be twisted and adapted to a flexible RF devices [9]- [14]. However, the length of the antenna cannot be modified, hence linear control of the resonant frequency is difficult.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manipulating Liquid Metal Droplets in Microfluidic Channels With Minimized Skin Residues Toward Tunable RF Applications

Koo

LeBlanc

Kelley

et al. 2015

J. Microelectromech. Syst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A nontoxic liquid metal, such as eutectic galliumindium (EGaIn) alloy, has been used to develop tunable radio frequency (RF) components, such as antennas, inductors, or capacitors, for enabling large tunable range, better linearity, and low loss, using fluidic displacement of the liquid metal. However, EGaIn residue, due to its fast oxidation, limits multiple movement of the EGaIn in the reconfigurable RF components. This paper focuses on the use of surfactants, carrier liquids, and microchannel coating materials that minimize EGaIn fragmentation and EGaIn residues on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based microfluidic channels during repeated actuation of an EGaIn plug. Using a combination of carrier liquids and microchannel coating materials to minimize EGaIn from leaving residues on the PDMS microfluidic channel, a microstrip transmission line switch as a proof-of-concept reconfigurable RF application using the EGaIn plug is demonstrated. It is switched ON with a loss of <4 dB and OFF with a loss of <18 dB over the frequency range between 4 and 15 GHz.[ 2014-0228]Index Terms-Liquid metal, eutectic gallium indium, microfluidics, microfluidically tunable RF application, liquid metal switch.

show abstract

“…Formation of an elastomeric substrate is achieved using metal forms, 7 hollow fibers, 18 and microfluidic channels. 19 To realize better performance and fewer defects, microprism-mediated pre-stretched elastomeric substrates are used for preparing stretchable polymer substrates. Due to the Poisson effect between the polymer and the electrode material, wrinkles or cracks [7][8][9] appear on the electrode during stretching.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direction-dependent stretchability of AgNW electrodes on microprism-mediated elastomeric substrates

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have become an efficient electrode candidate for stretchable electronics. We report the effects of directional stretching in microprism-mediated AgNW stretchable electrodes on polyurethane (PU) substrates. The wavy substrate is fabricated using a customized microprism on polyethylene terephthalate. AgNWs on stretchable PU substrates show stable normalized resistance up to 35% strain under parallel uniaxial stretching. This performance is much better than AgNWs on bare PU substrate or on wavy PU under perpendicular stretching, which can only sustain 10%-15% strain before significant increase in normalized resistance. Finite element simulations were conducted to reveal the strain distribution and variation in the AgNW electrodes on both bare and wavy PU substrates when stretched along parallel and perpendicular directions. Comparing to AgNW electrodes on bare PU and on wavy PU under perpendicular stretching, the wavy PU surface relief features can effectively alleviate the strain in the AgNW network when stretched along parallel direction, leading to better performance.

show abstract

Ultrastretchable, cyclable and recyclable 1- and 2-dimensional conductors based on physically cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer gels

Cited by 87 publications

References 41 publications

Morphological Investigation of Midblock‐Sulfonated Block Ionomers Prepared from Solvents Differing in Polarity

Morphological Investigation of Midblock‐Sulfonated Block Ionomers Prepared from Solvents Differing in Polarity

Manipulating Liquid Metal Droplets in Microfluidic Channels With Minimized Skin Residues Toward Tunable RF Applications

Direction-dependent stretchability of AgNW electrodes on microprism-mediated elastomeric substrates

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About