Belgian scientists develop stretchable and curved optical circuits

In order for flexible electronic devices to become popular in the real world, their circuits must be tough enough. In this regard, we have already seen some progress - such as "liquid metal cables" that can carry current when stretched. However, if we want to use fiber optic circuits, what else can we do? Don't worry, because Belgian scientists have created the world's first stretchable "light path."

The idea behind this is that wearable sensors or robotic tactile skin can use most of the standard glass fiber optic cables, but to "interconnect" them, the device must be allowed to bend or stretch between them.

This part is made of poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and the interconnection is spread through a transparent core that is covered with the same outer material—because light is not easy for the traditional outer layer (low refractive index). The design allows light to be transmitted in the online core.

In laboratory tests, this interconnect structure can still maintain light transmission when stretched 30% or wrapped around a person's fingers. More importantly, the material still retains 10% of tensile properties after being mechanically stretched 80,000 times.

The interconnection structure was developed at the "Microsystem Technology Center" related to the imec micro-electronics research center at Ghent University in Belgium. Its research report was recently published in "Optics Express". (Optics Express).