Emerging Technology – A cooperative group of scientists in South Korea from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Components and Materials Research Laboratory at ETRI, and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed a new graphene-based transparent film that is conductive and also stretchable.
The new film contains a graphene layer and metal nanotrough networks that allow for a very low sheet resistance (1 ?/sq) and a very low standard deviation of less than ±0.1 ?/sq. The film also has high transparency of 91% in the visible spectrum. The most surprising feature is its stretchability of 80% under tensile strain.
The film can be attached to the skin and other surfaces (see photo above). With its high conductivity and stretchability, it could become a key component for a completely new class of wearable devices. The new film can be used as the basis for displays, electronic circuits or sensors. This new combination of transparent conductive materials achieves high conductivity combined with a very high degree of flexibility. It is certainly a very attractive combination. -Norbert Hildebrand
