Last Updated on November 6, 2024
Flexible Electronics is a term used to mention devices that use Flexible Printed Circuit board. It is made by bendable plastic materials like polyimide, PEEK or transparent conductive polyester films. Due to its ability to bend, it is widely used in Electronic application where flexibility is an added advantage. As we seeing flexible electronic based applications and advancements are growing rapidly, It is driven by the demand for device that are light weight, adaptable and wearable.
So that transformation of traditional components, sensors and actuators are also happening to meet the requirements of flexible electronics. Stretchable form of electronics enables seamless integration in various field applications.
Recent Examples of Flexible Electronics
More that a decade we use FPC Connectors for interfacing mother board and display in laptops, foldable mobile phones etc., but these are acts as flexible connector. Now PCB manufacturing Industries are capable of producing PCBs with wide range of Substrates like Plastic, Paper, Glass, Polyurethane and textile.
Types of Flexible PCB you can get from manufacturers
- Rubber like Substrate PCB with Copper (conducting) traces, Components and Sensors on it.
- Single Sided Flexible PCB
- Double Side Flexible PCB
- Multilayer Flexible PCB
- Rigid Flexible PCB (It is a combination of Rigid and Flexible substrate)
Developments
The following developments are mandatory for full functioning flexible PCB and Electronic devices.
Flexible Substrate
Apart from substrates like polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate and thermoplastic polyurethane. Recent improvements opens the way for Organic Substrates such as Cellulose fiber, and Natural fibers based PCB substrates. Which are flexible and bio degradable.
PCB Trace
The PCB traces are the conducting wires and connecting lines between components placed above or below the substrates. For flexible PCB, the traces should be flexible and also robust. Recent improvement in this section is, conductive Inks based on silver, copper and carbon nanoparticles. This type traces maintain conductivity even when stretched or flexed.
Components & Semiconductor
Components & Semiconductor are main characters in the field of electronics. Organic semiconductors are developed by different organization to meet the expectations of flexible electronics. This type of components can be processed at low temperatures and deposited onto flexible substrate.
Fabrication
Unlike pick and place assembly, In flexible Electronics we can expect fabrication techniques like screen printing, Ink jet printing and roll-to-roll processing. It will help mass production and tiny size device assembling.
Future Applications
We can expect the following applications and improvements,
- Smart Textiles and Fashion Wearables
- Health Monitoring and Medical Wearables
- Fitness and Sports Wearables
- Compact Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
- Wearable Energy Harvesting and Storage