Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have made a breakthrough in the field of flexible electronic circuits with the creation of a unique material. This development has the potential to greatly enhance the functionality of wearable technologies, soft robots, and other smart devices.
The material, known as a bilaminar liquid-rustic conductor (Bilis), has the remarkable ability to stretch to 22 times its original length without a significant loss in electrical conductivity. This unprecedented electromechanical property improves the user-device interaction and expands the potential applications in the field of medical wearables.
Professor Lim Chvi Tek, the leader of the research team, emphasized the significance of this technology, stating, “We have developed this technology to meet the demand for a robust and highly functional platform for the next generation of wearables, robotics, and smart devices.”
Bilis is a two-layer technology. The first layer consists of pure liquid metal, which maintains high conductivity even under high deformations. The second layer is composed of a composite material with microparticles of liquid metal. This layer can restore its conductivity almost instantly when cracks or ruptures occur, as the liquid metal from the microparticles fills the gaps.
To ensure commercial viability, the NUS team has developed a fast and cost-effective production method for Bilis. The findings of this study were published in the journal Advanced Materials in November 2022.
The researchers have also demonstrated the potential use of Bilis in various components of wearable electronics. Currently, they are working on creating an improved version of Bilis that can be printed directly, eliminating the need for templates. This advancement will reduce costs and enhance the precision of Bilis manufacturing.