Complete Foldable, Resilient, and Fatigue Resistant Electrode

Development of mechanically and electrically robust electrode that can be completely folded and crumpled without fatigue degradation in substrate and electrode material has been demanded as a core component of next-generation foldable electronics and soft robot. Here, we report a nanocomposite electrode that can be completely folded in half, crumpled, and endure tensile load (3 N/mm) without changing electrical resistance using a simple composite structure consisting of Elastomer, Kevlar, PET film and silver nanowires (Ag NWs). We performed rigorous experimental and theoretical investigations based on the neutral axis and strain engineering, suppressed the plastic deformation causing crease pattern by an unprecedented method encapsulating a plastic substrate with elastomers, and increased tensile strength of the electrode dramatically via aligned Kevlar fiber reinforced elastomer. Furthermore, by successfully applying developed nanocomposite electrodes to a foldable wrinkle-free display and multifunctional sensor, it is expected that our electrode presents a methodology and tool with vast potential for soft robotics and next-generation foldable electronics.