In a significant advancement for flexible and stretchable electronics, researchers from Hanyang University in South Korea have made a remarkable breakthrough. Professors Jung Yei-Hwan and Yoo Hyoungsuk have developed the world's first "electronic skin" that maintains wireless communication performance even when stretched or deformed like rubber.
The Ministry of Science and ICT reported that this joint research team created a substrate capable of preserving its wireless communication efficiency despite being stretched or compressed. This innovation was achieved by integrating ceramic nanoparticles into a stretchable, rubber-like material, where these nanoparticles self-assemble into clusters. This pioneering research is a world-first achievement, previously unreported in academic literature.
Building on this innovation, the researchers developed an electronic skin that supports wireless communication over distances exceeding 90 meters, a previously unattainable distance. Electronic skin refers to flexible electronic devices that can be attached to the human body to measure biometric signals. Traditionally, even minimal stretching or bending of wireless frequency circuits led to communication disruptions or significant reductions in power transmission and reception efficiency.
The new electronic skin developed by the research team can accurately measure various biometric signals, such as brainwaves, body movements, skin temperature, and muscle signals, through long-range wireless communication. The potential applications of this stretchable wireless technology are extensive. Beyond wearable devices, the research team envisions its use in stretchable displays, implantable biomedical devices, and electronic textiles (e-textiles).
Professor Jung highlighted the wide applicability of the developed stretchable wireless communication technology, which can be used in various stretchable systems requiring wireless functionality. He also mentioned that they have started developing stretchable wireless wearable devices with 6G mobile communication capabilities, representing the next generation of communication technology.
