3D Printing Used to Create Elastic Conductors for Wearable Devices

Over the past few years, 3D printing has become increasingly advanced and has been used to create numerous items such as toys, furniture and electronic components. Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology have now demonstrated the successful use of 3D printing to create elastic components that can conduct electricity, paving the way for the large-scale printing of multi-functional and stretchable components for wearable devices.

Printing Strategy

Printing solid-state elastic conductors with three-dimensional geometries has been challenging because the rheological properties of existing inks only allow for layer-wise deposition. However, the researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology have developed a new emulsion-based composite ink that consists of liquid components dispersed within a conductive elastomer, a rubbery material that conducts electricity. This composite ink exhibits viscoelasticity, shear-thinning and lubricating properties, which better support the printing of complex 3D structures.

Potential Applications

The researchers printed elastic interconnects that they then used to create a wearable temperature sensor with a stretchable display. This device was found to perform well and the same method could soon be used to create various other stretchable and conducting components. The ink they created could inspire the creation of other emulsion-based inks that operate similarly but are based on different compositions and elastomers. In addition, their approach could be combined with 3D scanning technologies to create soft electronics that are perfectly aligned with the shape of the human body and thus more comfortable for users to wear.

Despite its promise in this area, 3D printing has rarely been successfully used to produce complex and flexible electronics. One reason for this is that solid-state elastic materials that can conduct electricity are difficult to print using existing inks. However, the researchers have made a significant breakthrough in using 3D printing to create elastic conductors that can conduct electricity. With the increasing affordability of 3D printing equipment, it could be possible to fabricate soft electronic components for wearable devices in the near future.