Photothermally Triggered Shape‐Adaptable 3D Flexible Electronics. Issue 10 (15th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Du, Xuemin; Cui, Huanqing; Sun, Bin; Wang, Juan; Zhao, Qilong; Xia, Kai; Wu, Tianzhun; Humayun, Mark S.
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials technologies. Volume 2:Issue 10(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-08-15
• Subjects: 3D flexible electronics -- composite hydrogel -- photothermally responsive -- shape‐adaptable; Materials science -- Periodicals; Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Materials science; Technological innovations; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1002/admt.201700120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2365-709X

Abstract

Abstract: Effective contact between flexible electronics and soft biological tissues, which may have different surface curvatures, for medical applications has long been a challenge. Here, this study reports a strategy for preparing shape‐adaptable 3D flexible electronics by combining photothermally responsive poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide)/gold nanorods (PNIPAM@AuNRs) composite hydrogels with conventional flexible microelectrode arrays (fMEAs). The fMEAs‐functionalized composite hydrogels are shape‐adaptable and can accommodate different surface geometries. Triggered remotely in seconds by near‐infrared (NIR) light at a wavelength of 808 nm, the composite hydrogel layer is grafted on the back side of the fMEAs shrinks to induce a desirable shape transformation in the fMEAs. By patterning the responsive hydrogel layer, the fMEAs can exhibit planar‐to‐twisted structural transformations in response to an external stimulus as a result of differential shrinkage and their elastic moduli. This strategy not only enables fMEAs to modify their shape to remotely accommodate unpredictable shapes of different surfaces by irradiation with NIR but also provides multiple architectures of 3D fMEAs upon stimulation. These photothermally responsive composite‐hydrogel‐based fMEAs may provide new methods for achieving wearable and implantable devices and facilitate deeper investigations into biological systems. Abstract : Poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide)/gold nanorod composite hydrogel‐based flexible electronics demonstrate excellent shape control that is triggered remotely by near‐infrared (NIR) light and can not only conform to various curved surfaces but can also change their shape from planar to twisted. This is the first successful realization of shape‐adaptable flexible electronics using NIR irradiation, and the strategy is feasible for practical use.