Research breakthrough in the development of stretchable flat screens
A collaboration between the University of Southern Denmark and Polyteknik AS has led to a groundbreaking breakthrough in stretchable flat screens. The new method opens up various innovative product possibilities, such as more durable and flexible screens for smartphones and tablets that can withstand bending and stretching.
Although a three per cent stretch might initially sound modest, it represents a significant advancement in stretchable flat screens.
"Imagine wrapping a football in newspaper—it will never fit snugly. But with a stretchable material, like cling film, you get a tighter fit. Similarly, this breakthrough allows us to create stretchable flat screens that can be shaped in 3D," explains Jes Linnet, who has just defended his Industrial PhD at the University of Southern Denmark.
As part of his PhD project, supported by the Innovation Fund, Linnet, in collaboration with Polytechnic AS and researchers from SDU, developed a method that allows indium tin oxide (ITO)—a crucial material in modern display technology—to stretch up to 3 per cent without losing its conductivity.
"We have shown that a stretchable carrier substrate with a wavy surface can significantly improve the stretchability of ITO electrodes compared to traditional flat surfaces. This design allows for a threefold improvement in the stretch performance of the electrodes, making the technology highly relevant for future flexible and stretchable electronic devices," says Jes Linnet.
Opening new design possibilities
This technology enables the production of flat screens in curved shapes, such as those used in car dashboards. In the long term, we can integrate flexible electronic products and radically change the design and functionality of everything from wearable smart gadgets to advanced solar cells in clothing. Imagine your smartphone being able to wrap around your wrist or electrodes sewn into your clothes that can monitor your health.
Potential for mass production
This is not the first time researchers have managed to stretch flat screens. Samsung has previously demonstrated that OLED 'skin' stretches up to 30 per cent. So, what makes the SDU researchers' breakthrough unique?
"It's the design and manufacturing method," says Jes Linnet's supervisor, Associate Professor Jakob Kjelstrup-Hansen from NanoSYD, elaborating:
"When Samsung makes a stretchable flat screen that can stretch 30 per cent, it requires expensive materials, a complex design, and complicated fabrication steps that are extremely costly. ITO is the most widely used material in this industry, so our concept opens up the possibility of mass-producing stretchable flat screens. This makes the research highly relevant for industrial application and commercial development."
Heading for the market
And industrial application is precisely the next goal. Jes Linnet will continue his collaboration with SDU while employed in Polyteknik AS's R&D department. The researchers and engineers are already moving into the next phase, where they will optimise and further develop the material's properties to ensure implementation in commercial products.
"We are working on developing a prototype that can demonstrate functionality to investors and test the durability and functionality of the technology under everyday conditions."
The prototype is expected to be ready by the end of 2024.