Redefining the Future of Electronic Design with Elastomers

The Oil and Gas sector coupled and its distillates from petrochemical industry have historically found applications in many of our day to day utilities, right from our lip balm to our furniture coating and not to mention, our entire transport systems. The latest addition to the list, although not entirely a debutant, is the electronics industry, thanks to the technology disruptions by a special category of polymers: the elastomer. Imagine an e-reader whose screen can be rolled up like a newspaper or a laptop that can be folded 4 times to fit into pockets. These scenarios very real possibilities now, thanks to the developments in flexible and transient electronics using elastomers.

 With the advent of the IOT and wearables, fundamental properties of electronic components are witnessing a change. Flexibility is expected to be a new form factor, which is being made possible because of the developments in conductive elastomers that satisfy the mechanical stretchability and electrical conductivity criteria. Elastomers are aggressively replacing conventional rigid materials in the electronics industry. Owing to their excellent physical and mechanical properties, such as resistance, adhesion, weathering & radiation resistance, and chemical resistance, they are being widely used in several electronics applications. The primary reason behind the increased demand for synthetic elastomers is their conductive and insulative nature. Currently, these elastomers are widely used in entertainment & communications electronics, automotive electronics, home electronics, semiconductor electronics, and I&C technologies.

 Transient electronics is another emerging technology where advancements are seen. Here, materials possess a unique characteristic to completely dissolve within a programmed period. As there are no harmful by-products in this process, these devices can be used in the human body as diagnostic tools. Transient electronics products can be used across various sectors such as healthcare, military, and even cosmetics. Some of their applications can be dissolving batteries, self-destructing electronic devices, and zero waste sensors. Owing to its elastomeric properties, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is gaining traction and is acting as a substitute for PVC as well as rubber for several end-use industries, such as automotive, building & construction, engineering, footwear, medical, and wire & cable industries. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) can be used to develop artificial muscles, sensory skin, actuators, sensors, plastic motors, and drug delivery systems. These developments can not only lead to new product possibilities with electronics but can also shape entirely new form factors with designs that were never thought of or seen before.

Being an emerging technological application area, flexible and transient electronics are not without their set of challenges. A significant challenge that exists today is the mismatch that occurs between the flexible elastomer base and brittle electronic conductors. Apart from these factors, the prices of various elastomers are constantly rising with increasing manpower and energy. There are also challenges pertaining to the use and adoption of elastomers, as silicon rubber-based elastomers require a thermal curing process that places limitations on conventional fabrication techniques such as cutting, molding, and casting.

However, elastomers could work in consonance with 3D printing to create cost-effective, innovative, and accessible products across sectors. 3D printing can be used to print precise layers of various materials with high conductivity on to an elastomer surface. Recent breakthroughs in elastomers where researchers developed a new elastomeric material that can stretch up to 1100% have also aided the development of transient and flexible electronics. This elastomeric material has helped overcome many of the significant problems with fabrication using conventional methods for electronics. Another key development was where a research team from Beijing used an injecting technique to form liquid metal channels in a flexible 3D printed part. These developments can open up new vistas for 3D printed electronics that are stretchable or biodegradable.

 Various developments in elastomers technology present exciting possibilities for the electronics industry. These new materials could help manufacturers create electronics that are fluid and versatile with possibilities for implementations across verticals. With the aid of 3D printing, costs of manufacturing could also be reduced significantly wherein new age electronics would not carry a significant premium. Technologies such as the Internet of Things shall also receive impetus with the adoption of elastomers in mass consumer electronics. Elastomers are, thus, expected to be an important catalyst in making electronics truly ubiquitous